Israel brought a fresh breeze to the world baseball world at the 2017 WBC (World Baseball Classic). It is thanks to the upheaval of advancing to the second round with a first-round victory.
The team that shocked me the most was, of course, Korea. Even after hosting the WBC, it was caught by Israel in the opening game, and eventually finished the tournament in three games. 온라인카지노
Six years ago, Israel built a team of 11 former and current major leaguers. Before the tournament, there were concerns that it would be difficult for the teams that had gathered only to participate in the WBC to unite as one, but that was an expectation that was far from reality.
This time it was stronger. Israel reinforced its strength by selecting nine players who played in the major leagues last year for the 2023 WBC, starting with Zak Pederson (San Francisco). Five former major leaguers, including Ryan Lavanway and Ty Kelly, who led the WBC sensation in 2017, also reunited.
MLB.com analyzed the Israeli national team roster on the 11th (Korean time). The name that stands out the most is, of course, Pederson. Pederson hit 23 homers last year and regained his prime.
In fact, Pederson also played for Israel in 2013. However, this was before his major league debut, and Israel did not advance to the finals. After 10 years, he returned to the WBC as the center of the team.
On the pitching side, Dean Kramer (Baltimore) boasts the most outstanding career. Kramer made his WBC debut in the 2017 event during his minor league career. The first big leaguer with Israeli citizenship is now in charge of Israel’s ace.
Robert Stark, who played for the Doosan Bears last year, also wears an Israeli uniform. Stark signs a minor league contract with Milwaukee and tries again in the major leagues. Jake Bird (Colorado) Jack Wise (Angels) is in charge of the back door.
Although they have strengthened their strength, it is unclear whether they will be able to advance to the second round twice in a row. Israel are in Group D of the ‘Group of Death’ along with the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Nicaragua. Starting with Nicaragua on the 13th, they will face Puerto Rico on the 14th, Dominican Republic on the 15th, and Venezuela on the 16th.