TEMPE, Ariz. — Ever since Mike Trout decided last summer that he was going to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, he’s been eagerly waiting for this opportunity.
As the Angels star stood in front of dozens of reporters wearing his blue “USA” uniform on Thursday, he could barely contain his excitement about the tournament that officially begins for Team USA with a game against Great Britain on Saturday.
“I was looking forward to it all offseason, and now it’s a reality,” Trout said. “Just to be able to get to know the guys and see how great the team is and how the guys come in and have fun, it’s going to be a fun tournament.”
Trout’s dream team and his real team crossed paths on Thursday, with Team USA playing an exhibition game against the Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
It provided some entertaining and awkward moments – like when Angels lefty Tyler Anderson threw one up and in against Trout.
“Ah, I shouldn’t do that,” Anderson said he told himself. “Just feed them out over (the plate) and let him do what he wants to do.”
Trout then hit a fly ball to the warning track, barely shy of a homer. Trout ended up going hitless in three trips to the plate, including a walk. He was one of the only members of the Team USA starting lineup who didn’t do much offensively in their 6-0 victory over the Angels. Nolan Arenado hit a grand slam in the third.
Although it turned out to be a loss for the Angels, it was definitely a win for a few Angels prospects.
Team USA needed some players to finish out the game, so shortstop Zach Neto, first baseman Trey Cabbage and outfielders Jeremiah Jackson and Jordyn Adams were loaned to Team USA. Neto, Jackson and Adams all got into the game. The final three pitchers for Team USA were Angels left-handers Kenny Rosenberg, Jake Kalish and Cam Vieux.
Afterward, Neto said the experience of sharing a dugout and a field with such a star-studded team was unforgettable.
“Not many people get to…
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