TOKYO -- Baseball has taken Todd Van Steensel around the world. He's pitched in the Minors for the Phillies and Twins, played for Kinheim in Holland's Honkbal Hoofdklasse, Guadalajara in the Mexican League (for current Mexican national team manager Benji Gil), the Tigres de Aragua in Venezuela's Winter League and beyond. And, of course, he's played inside the Tokyo Dome for the Australian national team.
"I think experiencing different cultures just makes you appreciate everything you do to play baseball," Van Steensel said at this year's World Baseball Classic. "I played in Holland, France, Venezuela, Mexico, the U.S., Japan, Taiwan, China. The appreciation for baseball when you play with other people from around the world is amazing."
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He's back in the Tokyo Dome for the 2026 tournament after representing Australia in 2023. That year, he helped the team to its first trip to the quarterfinals in program history.
"Man, years ago, I said, if I can get to the 2023 Classic, anything after that's a bonus," Van Steensel said. "I just feel lucky that I'm still able to be here and I'm back in the Dome. I told my partner today, when we're driving in the bus and I see the Dome, it's justification for everything I've done to get here. It's a pleasure and a privilege all the time."
The pitcher, who has played in the ABL since 2010, has set the all-time record for saves and appearances and he's closing in on the top 10 for most strikeouts, too.
"That just means I'm old," Van Steensel joked. "You don't get to do cool things like that unless the people in front of you were able to do cool things. I tell my teammates that I can't do those things unless they put me in a position to succeed. And I can't do that unless the manager trusts me. I love closing games and to be able to seal the game when everyone's put in the hard work is great, but when you blow it, it's the exact opposite."
The league has proven to be an important place for young players from around the world to come and play, whether from the Major Leagues -- Ronald Acuña Jr. made his debut there -- along with players from Korea and Japan. It's also an important piece in Australia's national team program, giving the country's players high-quality competition at home.
Australia manager Dave Nilsson knows the importance of it as the ABL gives players "a platform that they can still play on and prepare to play against the best players in the world in events like these."
While Van Steensel has the official ABL saves record, he may also have another unofficial record: He just might be the biggest Taylor Swift fan in baseball. He's gone to concerts, created Swift-inspired friendship bracelets for his teammates and has even met the singer.
"A long time ago, I listened to 'Our Song,' and after that, I was hooked," Van Steensel said. "I googled, 'Who's Taylor Swift?' listened to her albums at the time and ever since then, I've just followed her career and followed her around the world."
He's also got some ink from the singer: On the inside of his wrist is "Fearless," written in a script font similar to her signature.
"It's a little mantra, but also an homage to her album," Van Steensel said. "It's fun and I love the way she tells stories through her music."
Ask him for his top five and he can't do it.
"If I had children, that's like asking who my favorite child was," Van Steensel said with a laugh.
For a pump-up song, he'll go with "Ready For It." For a sad one, he opts for "All Too Well" -- the 10-minute version. If he's in a good mood, he'll go with "Me!" And if he wants to "feel those lovey-dovey feelings that make me think of my partner," he'll go with "Love Story," which is "the only Taylor Swift song she likes."
Yes, Van Steensel is even the biggest Taylor Swift fan in his relationship, too.
When given the aux cord inside the clubhouse, the closer will play things he thinks his teammates might listen to more often, but he knows what they're really listening to.
"I don't think people are as loud and proud to be Swifties as I am," Van Steensel said, "but I know it's on their playlist, that's for sure."