SURPRISE, Ariz. — If the 2023 Angels need a motto, perhaps they can borrow “Citius, Altius, Fortius.”
The Latin creed translates to “Faster, Higher, Stronger,” and is synonymous with the Olympic Games, which have started to impart an influence on the Angels as spring training nears the end of its second full week and the first full week of games.
Angels manager Phil Nevin represented the United States in the baseball tournament at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, and the entire experience – from his preparation time with Team USA to the Olympic tournament itself – left a lasting impact.
Nevin played third base on the American team made up of top college players, helping the squad into the four-team knockout round. Team USA ultimately lost to Cuba in the semifinals and to Japan in the bronze-medal game, yet it was the process itself that Nevin cherished.
“Wearing that uniform was pretty special,” Nevin said. “Now these guys are getting that chance.”
So when some Angels players said they were on the fence about competing in the World Baseball Classic this spring, Nevin pushed all of them toward participating. In the end, the Angels will be represented by 10 players as the WBC unfolds its clunky first-round pool play schedule on Wednesday with a pair of games at Taichung, Taiwan.
Shohei Ohtani left the Angels on Tuesday to join Team Japan, while David Fletcher departed to join Team Italy on Wednesday. Patrick Sandoval (Mexico), Mike Trout (USA), Luis Rengifo (Venezuela), Gio Urshela (Colombia), Jaime Barria (Panama), Carlos Estevez (Dominican Republic), Jose Quijada (Venezuela) and Zach Weiss (Israel) all will compete on the world stage.
Angels infield coach Benji Gil will be Sandoval’s manager on team Mexico and has a formidable rotation that also includes the Dodgers’ Julio Urias, the Phillies’ Taijuan Walker and the Houston Astros’ Jose Urquidy.
“I can’t wait to join them,” said Sandoval, who is expected to…
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