Team USA's Quest for Gold: Drawing Inspiration from Olympic Greatness
In the lead-up to the World Baseball Classic, Team USA is drawing inspiration from an unexpected source: the 23-time Olympic gold medalist, Michael Phelps.
The swimming legend was invited to Team USA's group dinner, where he delivered an inspiring speech that left a lasting impression on players and coaches alike. With a mindset that emphasizes the importance of teamwork and relentless pursuit of excellence, Phelps' message resonated deeply.
"He was intense," Team USA manager Mark DeRosa said. "I thought it was an awesome speech. Just kind of his mindset. Second place is not going to get it done. That was kind of his message to the guys. Kind of feeding off each other and coming together as a team."
Team USA's performance in their first exhibition game against the Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on Tuesday showcased the power of this mindset. The American squad dominated with a 15-1 rout, showcasing a stacked lineup featuring Bobby Witt Jr., Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge, Kyle Schwarber, Alex Bregman, and Cal Raleigh.
The team's offensive prowess was on full display, with 19 hits and a Statcast-projected 437-foot home run from Bregman in the fourth inning. The game went to 10 innings, providing more opportunities for pitchers to shine, and every player stayed until the final out was recorded.
"I just felt like there's something special about putting USA across the chest, but there's something special about creating a team," DeRosa said. "You saw it on display today. I was proud of the fact that all of them stayed. All of them wanted to compete. They were selfless and willing to move around. It was great."
Phelps himself was in attendance, watching the game with his kids and taking in the batting practice from the field. Pirates ace Paul Skenes, who pitched three scoreless innings in his final WBC tuneup, expressed his awe at Phelps' presence.
"I wasn't expecting to see him in the dugout," Skenes said. "There's nothing better than winning gold for USA. It's pretty much what it centered around, the message yesterday. It was pretty cool to meet him, cool to see him here with his kids today."
Skenes and fellow right-hander Griffin Jax, both former players at the U.S. Air Force Academy, found particular meaning in representing the USA. Jax shared, "The most amount of juice I’ve had in a long time. It was a special day. The first time walking in the clubhouse and putting the uniform on with all these guys is a different feeling. It was almost like getting called up again."
Team USA's pitching staff, including Matthew Boyd, David Bednar, Mason Miller, Jax, and Gabe Speier, combined to fire 6 2/3 scoreless innings behind Skenes, showcasing the depth and talent of the team.
"They take all the nerves out of it," Jax said. "The top three are some of the best in the game and then you get to the bottom half of the order, and there’s no break. It’s hard to pitch to. They give you all the confidence in the world. You know we’re going to get six-plus runs a night. If we can keep them to one, like we did today, we’re going to win a lot."
As Team USA prepares for their Pool B play against Brazil in Houston, the team's unity and determination are evident. Manager DeRosa noted, "It's got a different feel than '23."
The team's journey continues, fueled by the inspiration of Olympic greatness and the pursuit of gold.
