Dodgers News: Mookie Betts Recruited By Mike Trout To Represent USA In WBC
For the first time in his career, Mookie Betts of your Los Angeles Dodgers is participating in the World Baseball Classic. He has already made his presence felt by putting in work early before practices, and he is the leadoff hitter for Team USA.
Betts is joined by some familiar faces and top-tier MLB talent in Mike Trout, Trea Turner, and Nolan Arenado. The expectations are clear for this loaded roster and anything other than winning the tournament would a failure as likely only the Dominican Republic and Japan squads rival them when it comes to star power.
Team USA manager Mark DeRosa has been vocal about how grateful he is to have the 30-year-old slugger playing for him for at least three more games. In a an interview during their first exhibition match against the San Fransisco giants, DeRosa shared how Trout played a key role in the Dodgers star ending up on the roster in the first place.
"It all starts with Mike Trout. 2017, he got asked to do it and he chose not to," said DeRosa. "And I think he was kicking himself a little bit so when it rolled back around, he was the first guy to sign up and then he recruited Mookie and then from there, who doesn't want to be in that locker room?"
Betts himself has been honest too about Trout being the deciding factor that willed him to join the team to compete internationally. Both Los Angeles stars have only shared the field in All-Star games a few years ago and have never played together for multiple stretches of matches.
The WBC gave them the opportunity to not only do that but also do so with their country's name across their chest. They are two of the brightest names in our game and have stepped up to the challenge together.
