Bello returns from Classic, hopes to pitch for D.R. again: 'So many superstars'

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- At the core of the game of baseball, having fun is what the sport is all about. Nobody in this year’s World Baseball Classic may be having as much fun as Team Dominican Republic.

Although there were several Red Sox players showing their stuff for various WBC teams as the tournament plays out, a young Brayan Bello was soaking it all in with the Dominican Republic and proving his worth on a global stage.

Bello, who tossed five innings of one-run ball against Team Israel in pool play on Monday in a Dominican Republic win, strolled out of the Red Sox clubhouse Friday morning with fellow starting pitcher Garrett Crochet to the backfield for some toss.

So, why was Bello back at Fenway South? The answer is a mature one from the 26-year-old heading into his fourth season with the Red Sox as a full-time starter. He wants to get his work in and stay ready and on track for the regular season.

“I decided to come back because we had a starter for the Dominican Republic on Sunday [in the semifinals] which is [Luis] Severino,” Bello said. “I trust that he’s gonna go five or six [innings] and is gonna be dominating that game. I decided that it was best for me to come back here and throw my five or six innings, or 70 pitches that I need to do for this time in the rotation. That’s it. I felt that was the right decision. I know that Severino is gonna do very well.”

Team Dominican Republic has made headlines not only for its 4-0 record in Pool D, its quarterfinal win over Korea and its stacked roster of stars, but for its eccentric and flat-out smile-inducing celebrations. The Dominicans look like they’re having fun. They are having fun.

“It’s been one of the best experiences I’ve had,” Bello said. “The way those superstars handled themselves. The way that we shared those moments. The way that we stick together. I feel those moments are going to stay with me, and I enjoyed my time there as much as I could have.”

After his start on Saturday against Atlanta (7 K's in five scoreless innings), Bello is set to rejoin the D.R. team for its semifinal matchup against the U.S. team Sunday.

Bello, who is coming off a career-best year in ERA (3.35), innings pitched (166 2/3) and hits allowed as a full-time starter (147), said being part of the Dominican Republic clubhouse has taught him a lot.

“The experience was amazing. I feel like not even in the playoffs, the short experience I have in the playoffs, was something even similar to that,” Bello said. “The way that you leave those games is unique. And also the takeaway for me is being able to share a clubhouse with so many stars. So many superstars from my country, and to be able to represent my country was great. I hope to be back next World Baseball Classic and pitch again for my country.”

As part of one of the best rotations in MLB for a team that has high expectations to make a deep postseason run, Bello learned another valuable lesson from fellow countrymen and starters pitching on the WBC stage: poise.

“One of the things that I took away from being with those guys is how they were able to handle the pressure and handle those situations and those environments,” Bello said. “One of the main things was Sandy Alcantara when he pitched against Venezuela. He didn’t let that pressure around him or the importance of the game dictate how he was behaving or how he was before, or during, and after the game. So for me, that’s something that stuck with me, how calm he was during those games and those situations. I think it was very important for me to see that from the dugout.”

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said on Friday the tournament is great for Bello in many aspects. He can compete, represent his homeland and play alongside his countrymen, which Cora recognized as one of the best teams in the world.

“They’re really good,” Cora said. “With all the respect to [USA manager] Mark DeRosa, there’s a lot of good players there. Top-30 players. The way they go about it, they take it very serious, but at the same time they enjoy it. That’s something that hopefully [Bello] took from that experience. Right now, there’s not a team out there in the world that is having more fun than the Dominicans."