A mix of unemployed veterans and minor league prospects propelled the United States to a 4-0 record in the Americas qualifying.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla .– After shooting the ball through the diamond for the final of a 4-2 victory over Venezuela, United States third baseman Todd Frazier found closest David Robertson near the mound and hugged him. Soon the whole team huddled in the Clover Park infield, bouncing up and down, screaming and spraying booze like they’d won a championship.
While Olympic baseball may not be as much of a priority in the United States as it is in other parts of the world, Frazier said winning a spot at the Summer Games in Tokyo was one of the best moments of his career. baseball, which includes 11 years in the major leagues and two All-Star selections.
“I wish everyone could understand,” said Frazier, “when you have the opportunity to play for the United States of America – or whatever country you are with – you have to take that opportunity. and run with it because you’re going to go back on your career and say, “You know what? It’s probably the most fun I have ever had to play baseball. ‘ And it really is. “
With the most experienced and talented playoff roster in the Americas, Team USA won all four of the tournament games with a combined score of 29 -10. In doing so, the United States ensured that it was competing in the Olympics in a sport that had returned to the Games for the first time since 2008 and is known as America’s national pastime.
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On Saturday, the United States joined Japan, South Korea, Israel and Mexico in the six-team Olympic field. In five Summer Games where baseball appeared as the official sport, the United States won one gold (2000) and two bronze medals (1996 and 2008).
“It’s been such an intense two weeks,” said manager Mike Scioscia, whose team had a game against Puerto Rico which was enjoyed during the tournament. “You are really playing five elimination games and our guys were up to it.”
The last place for Olympic baseball, which will begin at the end of July, remains to be won. By finishing second and third in the Americas playoffs, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela have advanced to the final qualifying tournament, which is scheduled for June 22-26 in Mexico and, for now, will feature at least three teams after two. have given up.
Despite restrictions that prohibit the use of players on MLB 40-player rosters for the Olympics and qualifiers, Team USA featured a competent mix of unemployed veteran players and minor-league prospects on loan from their MLB clubs.
Veteran players – like Edwin Jackson, 37, who pitched two scoreless innings on Saturday; Robertson 36, who made two saves; and Frazier, 35 – completed a list that drew on young talent.
Matthew Liberatore, 21, one of the St. Louis Cardinals’ top prospects, struck out eight and allowed just two runs in two starts in the tournament, including a strong four-and-two-thirds outing against the Venezuela. Mark Kolozsvary, 25, a Cincinnati Reds capture prospect, smashed two home runs during the tournament. Luke Williams, 24, a Philadelphia Phillies field prospect, scored 8 of 16 with six RBIs.
“It was an amazing experience to be able to put the United States on my chest,” Williams said earlier in the tournament. “And for the first game I got goosebumps and I don’t remember the last time a baseball game gave me goosebumps. “
While some MLB teams may be reluctant to loan their players to Olympic teams because it interferes with their season or for fear of injury, several Team USA players had made it a priority to participate in qualifying. Frazier said the atmosphere at the stadium and the intensity of the games resembled that of the MLB playoffs.
When team USA officials contacted, second baseman Eddy Alvarez, who played for the Miami Marlins class AAA team, jumped at the chance and received permission.
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“It’s definitely for the glory,” said Alvarez, who won a silver medal in the men’s 5,000-meter relay at the 2014 Games in Sochi. “And I feel like it’s going to be a bit of a redemption in Tokyo because the last time I missed the gold and this time it’s like I got a second chance.”
Being released by the Pittsburgh Pirates in May allowed Frazier to turn to what he called the best Plan B ever: playing for Team USA.
Against Venezuela, he made a double play to finish the first inning with goals loaded and put in a 4 for 4, hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning that gave the United States the winning margin. He pointed the “USA” on his chest in uniform as he rounded third base and motioned for the crowd to cheer harder.
If another opportunity to play in the major leagues arises, Frazier said it would have to be a “big” and a “big team” for him to give up his Olympic dreams. Play in a 162-game long MLB. The season, he said, can be a drag at times and feel like work.
“Today and what we’ve been doing here,” Frazier said, “playing for your country isn’t a job.”
