'Being part of it is really special': Pirates players thrilled to participate in World Baseball Classic

BRADENTON, Fla. — When David Bednar saw the Team USA roster for the World Baseball Classic, the Pittsburgh Pirates closer’s mind drifted to his first All-Star Game last summer.

His teammates will include 21 All-Stars and four MVPs in Mookie Betts, Paul Goldschmidt, Mike Trout and three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw.

“It’s a huge honor. Taking a look at that roster and being part of it is really special,” Bednar said. “One of the biggest things at the All-Star Game was just looking around the locker room and seeing some of the names in the clubhouse. This is going to be the same thing. I’m just trying to see how guys go about their business and take it all in and enjoy every moment.”

Bednar, a Mars alum, is one of a dozen Pirates who will play in the World Baseball Classic, a 20-team tournament that interrupts spring training. Pool play begins this week, and the WBC championship game will be played March 21 at loanDepot Park in Miami. Team USA is the defending champion, beating Puerto Rico, 8-0, in the 2017 WBC title game, when Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen played for the USA.

Pirates All-Star closer David Bednar on the honor of playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. pic.twitter.com/JoyNxd618x

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) March 5, 2023

Bednar called the chance to play for his country “unreal.”

“I don’t think there’s any better way to get ready for a season, being in that kind of environment,” Bednar said. “I’m looking forward to playing with ‘USA’ across the chest. It’s a whole other sense of pride. To play for my hometown, I’m incredibly proud to play for the Pirates, but it’s going to be another feeling to represent the United States.”

From the Pirates’ 40-man roster, right-handed starter Roansy Contreras and lefty reliever Jarlin Garcia will play for the Dominican Republic and righty reliever Duane Underwood Jr. for Puerto Rico.

Nine players on minor-league deals also will participate: infielder Tsung-Che Cheng (Chinese Tapei); right-handed pitchers Alessandro Erolani (Italy), Santiago Florez (Colombia), Antwone Kelly (Netherlands), Jeffrey Passantino (Italy), Tahnaj Thomas (Great Britain) and Rob Zastryzny (Canada); and outfielders Josh Palacios (Netherlands) and Chavez Young (Great Britain). Pirates first-base coach Tarrik Brock will serve as third-base coach for China.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton called it a “tremendously beneficial” experience for the players involved “not only because they’re representing their countries, but the intensity” even though some Pirates will end up playing against each other.

“It’s almost like an All-Star Game that’s amped up, because an All-Star Game, you’re around all these guys, but the game is entertainment,” Shelton said. “It’s something that we’re mindful of and we’ve talked to all of them about, because the intensity is definitely going to be different when you’re playing for your country in a WBC game than it is a spring training game on March 9. We’re going to be cheering for all of them because being able to play for your country and represent your country and the way the WBC has displayed itself over the past couple of times, it’s fun to watch.”

The 23-year-old Contreras, who has a Dominican flag on his new glove, is looking forward to the opportunity to pitch for his homeland and pick the brains of WBC teammates such as reigning NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins.

“I love it,” Contreras said. “I’m going to take advantage of it and give 100% for my country.”

Garcia was a late addition to the Dominican roster, a call he was expecting, but is excited to wear his country’s colors for the first time since 2015.

“The only time I wore the Dominican Republic to represent my country was in the Futures Game,” Garcia said. “Now that I can represent my country, I feel so proud to represent my family, my country and the country that represents baseball.”

The American-born Underwood has family ties to Puerto Rico, as his maternal grandmother is from Arecibo. Underwood twice has pitched in Puerto Rico winter ball for Criollos de Caguas, whose general manager, Jesus Feliciano, worked for the Chicago Cubs when Underwood played there. The Team Puerto Rico general manager, Jose Sola, drafted Underwood for Cangregjeros de Santurce in 2017.

After spending two winters in Puerto Rico, where he embraced the culture, food and music and got to play in Roberto Clemente Stadium, Underwood is excited to represent his family in the WBC.

“It’s always been a dream of mine, even from my younger days,” Underwood said. “Just watching all of the classics, then finding out I had some Puerto Rican (bloodlines), it was always a dream of mine to go to the Classic. Having the opportunity and the blessing to play for Puerto Rico is just a plus.”

The number of Pirates playing in the WBC led to some friendly clubhouse banter when the participants arrived at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla., last month because bragging rights are on the line.

“It is cool because you see everybody have that extra sense of pride playing for their country,” Bednar said. “That’s what makes the World Baseball Classic such a special event.”