Chasing gold in Classic, Team USA taking inspiration from Olympic legend

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- In the run-up to the World Baseball Classic, Team USA is taking cues from the most decorated athlete in Olympic history: 23-time gold medalist Michael Phelps.

The legendary swimmer was invited to attend Team USA’s group dinner on Monday night and shared an inspiring speech that resonated with players and coaches alike.

“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.”

Consider the message received.

The American squad already looked like it was firing on all cylinders in a 15-1 rout of the Giants in its first exhibition game at Scottsdale Stadium on Tuesday.

Team USA’s stacked lineup -- which featured Bobby Witt Jr., Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge, Kyle Schwarber, Alex Bregman and Cal Raleigh in the first six spots -- pounded out 19 hits, including a Statcast-projected 437-foot blast from Bregman in the fourth inning.

The game ended up going 10 innings to give more pitchers a chance to get their work in, but every member of the star-studded American team made sure to stick around in full uniform until the last 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.”

“It was awesome to see,” Bregman said. “I feel like this group has already got a great togetherness. We’re focused, and we can’t wait for the tournament.”

Phelps was on hand to watch the dominant showing, attending the game with his kids and taking in batting practice from the field.

“I wasn't expecting to see him in the dugout,” said Pirates ace Paul Skenes, who gave up one run over three innings in his final WBC tuneup. “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.

“It kind of just shows it's a brotherhood. Kind of a fraternity of men and women. It's a family of everybody who's competed for our country and won gold. We’ve got to keep that moving.”

Getting the opportunity to don the red, white and blue was particularly meaningful for Skenes and fellow right-hander Griffin Jax, both of whom played at the U.S. Air Force Academy before reaching the Majors.

“It was awesome,” Jax said. “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. It was cool seeing Paul go out there and see his routine. All the stories about him taking three hours to get ready are true. But it’s really impressive to watch him.”

Team USA’s vaunted offense created plenty of breathing room for the pitching staff, but the club’s hurlers got the job done, as well, with Matthew Boyd, David Bednar, Mason Miller, Jax and Gabe Speier combining to fire 6 2/3 scoreless innings behind Skenes.

“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.”

Team USA will play one more exhibition game against the Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Wednesday before heading to Houston to kick off Pool B play against Brazil on Friday night at Daikin Park.

The Americans fell to Japan in the final of the last WBC in 2023, but they believe they have all the pieces to secure their first gold medal in the tournament since ‘17.

“I turned to Judgy, and I turned to all the coaches, and I go, ‘It’s got a different feel than ‘23,’” DeRosa said. “It just does.”