A homer to win a year's supply of beer? Team Canada player makes that dream a reality

Matt Davidson put his head down and trotted around the bases. He didn't think much of it, just another dinger to add to his collection.

"I had no idea," Canada's slugging DH told me. "I came in the dugout and something was going on. It was hard with the language barrier. The translator told me I hit the beer sign and there would be some surprises."

Surprises indeed.

Davidson, slugging star for Team Canada in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, has hit a lot of dingers in a lot of places. He hit 46 in the KBO in 2024. He's crushed 226 in the Minor Leagues. He once hit three on Opening Day for the White Sox.

But one homer pops up more than any other. If you search his name on social media or Google, it's one of the first you'll see: His laser off the Kirin Beer sign in 2023 while he was playing for the Hiroshima Carp. It granted him free access to one can of beer every day for 12 months. Kind of like winning an adult carnival game.

"A year's worth of beer," Davidson smiled. "They sent 365 beers to the clubhouse."

Being the consummate teammate and friend, Davidson gave all of the Kirin beer away to his fellow Carp -- spreading it out around the room. And also, well, beer isn't totally his go-to drink after a long day.

"I'm more of a bourbon guy," Davidson told me. "More bourbon and wine. I don't really drink beer. Although beer over there is good with the Yakinuku (Japanese barbecue)."

A bonus was that Davidson also received about one million yen, or, about $7,500.

Davidson is a California native, but his mom grew up in Winnipeg, and he's thrilled to be in Puerto Rico representing the Maple Leaf colors.

"I'm so excited," Davidson said. "I tried to play last time, it just didn't work out. I'm really honored to be a part of this."

Team Canada is hoping Davidson's beer-winning power, alongside Josh Naylor and Tyler O'Neil's big bats, can help it advance this week. Funny enough, there is a Medalla beer sign hovering over the right-field bleachers at Bithorn ... but a 420-foot opposite-field shot might be a little much to ask for from the 34-year-old.

Manager Ernie Whitt and the rest of the Great White North squad will likely take anything that squeaks over the fence.