Injuries are a part of being a professional athlete, no matter which stage or team you play for. But for baseball fans, the health and wealth of their favorite MLB players are all that matters, especially when a new season is nigh! Imagine when New York Mets ace Edwin Diaz got injured while celebrating with his team after winning a stunning game in the World Baseball Classic. 

Although the extent of his injury is unknown, the incident has people criticizing the WBC. As the injury derailed future plans for the upcoming season in MLB. This has been taken as a wake-up call by some in the baseball community, saying that the best players shouldn’t be allowed to play in the international tournament from hereon. Here’s what the captain of the US team, Mike Trout, and Mookie Betts have to say about the whole situation. 

Mike Trout and Mookie Betts echoed the same sentiment: 

When asked about their opinions on the whole situation, Mike Trout and Mookie Betts spoke out in the favor of the World Baseball Classic. Both players expressed how much they had enjoyed representing their country and the fun they had playing on the international stage.

The Los Angeles Angels star continued on to say, “Obviously, there’s risk involved, and you’re still playing baseball in Spring Training so for me it’s just being part of this atmosphere, it’s special, it means a lot to me.” He then went on to say that his experience at the WBC was one of the most enjoyable times he has had on the baseball field. 

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Sitting alongside his little daughter, Mookie Betts, who played for the US in the 2017 WBC, echoed Trout’s sentiments, adding that injuries are a part of the game and can happen to anyone at any time. “You can always try and place the blame on WBC but you know that’s just a freak accident that can happen to anyone at any given time.” He continued on with a quip, “This has been so much fun. Way better than getting 4 bats in the backfield.”

How did fans react to the players’ support of the World Baseball Classic? 

While the debate over player safety in international tournaments will no doubt continue, what the two said has fans nodding their heads. The criticism can weaken the credibility and love for the World Baseball Classic, which is, in the end, a grand stage where players are representing their nations.

While the players were discussing the matter, it was Mookie Betts’s daughter who stole the show. 

Well, Edwin Diaz’s injury came as a shock to everyone and was an upsetting moment no doubt, but it’s also true that injury criticism should not affect the sanctity of WBC.

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