SAN DIEGO — The World Baseball Classic has been played four times, a classic attraction in baseball-loving countries except one. Finally, a cast of megastars — MVPs and Gold Glove winners, and the like — have signed up to represent the United States.
The Dominican Republic, which won in 2013, has regularly rolled out its marquee players like five-time All-Star Robinson Canó and four-time All-Star Dellin Betances. Japan has won twice with its big-name players, including star pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka and 10-time All-Star Ichiro Suzuki.
For Team USA, the catalyst to getting that star power this year was Angels center fielder Mike Trout. Team USA general manager Tony Reagins, the former Angels general manager, persuaded Trout to play in the WBC for the first time, the building block for a star-studded roster.
