Team USA's Quest for Gold: Drawing Inspiration from an Olympic Legend
In the lead-up to the World Baseball Classic, Team USA is drawing inspiration from an unexpected source: Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time. The legendary swimmer's influence goes beyond a mere appearance at a team dinner.
During a motivational speech, Phelps emphasized the importance of teamwork and the relentless pursuit of excellence, a message that resonated deeply with Team USA's players and coaches.
"He was intense," shared Team USA manager Mark DeRosa. "His speech was powerful, conveying the idea that second place won't cut it. It was about feeding off each other's energy and uniting as a team."
Team USA's performance in their first exhibition game against the Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on Tuesday showcased the impact of this inspiration. With a lineup featuring Bobby Witt Jr., Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge, Kyle Schwarber, Alex Bregman, and Cal Raleigh, the team dominated with 19 hits, including a Statcast-projected 437-foot home run by Bregman in the fourth inning.
The game extended to 10 innings, providing more pitchers with opportunities to pitch. Despite the lopsided score, every player on the star-studded American team remained engaged until the final out.
DeRosa expressed his pride in the team's dedication, stating, "There's something special about wearing the USA jersey, but it's even more special to build a team. Today, we saw that in action."
Bregman echoed this sentiment, saying, "This group already has a strong sense of togetherness. We're focused and eager for the tournament."
Phelps' presence at the game, accompanied by his children and witnessing the team's batting practice, added to the team's motivation. Pirates ace Paul Skenes, who pitched three scoreless innings, noted the impact of Phelps' message, "There's nothing better than winning gold for USA. It's all about the gold, and that's what we're striving for."
For Skenes and fellow right-hander Griffin Jax, both of whom played at the U.S. Air Force Academy before reaching the Majors, the opportunity to represent the USA was deeply meaningful.
Jax described the experience, "It was incredible. I felt a surge of energy like I haven't had in a long time. Putting on the USA uniform with all these guys is a unique feeling, almost like being called up again."
Team USA's potent offense provided a solid foundation for the pitching staff, with Matthew Boyd, David Bednar, Mason Miller, Jax, and Gabe Speier combining for 6 2/3 scoreless innings behind Skenes. Jax emphasized the confidence the lineup provides, "The top three pitchers are among the best in the game, and the bottom half of the order doesn't give you a break. It's challenging to pitch to them, but they give you confidence."
As Team USA prepares for the World Baseball Classic, they will play one more exhibition game against the Rockies at Salt River Fields before heading to Houston for Pool B play against Brazil. DeRosa reflects on the team's progress, "It feels different from the '23 team. It just does."
