Pool play in the 2023 World Baseball Classic is officially over. For Willy Adames and Team Dominican Republic, their run ended shorter than expected after they lost to Puerto Rico in a win or go home game.
For Adames, representing his country meant the world to him. When asked how the experience compared to other big games that he has played in, he said, “It’s tied with the 2020 World Series or maybe slightly above”.
Adames, who was a member of the Tampa Bay Rays during their 2020 World Series run, had a significant everyday role when his team made it to the World Series. That year, the World Series was played at a neutral site, and limited spectators were allowed in due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, that still did not take away from the excitement of playing on Major League Baseball’s biggest stage.
During the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Adames was a part of a Dominican Republic team that was loaded with superstars. Other shortstops on the team included Jeremy Pena and Wander Franco. This limited Adames’ playing time.
Throughout the tournament, Adames logged just four at bats. However, he made the most of his opportunities as he collected two hits. Adames was additionally a professional about the situation every time the cameras were on him in the dugout, which was frequently. He often was found smiling, joking around and supporting his teammates.
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