NEW YORK, NY — Baseball fans across the world have chimed in with their opinions on what is right from wrong regarding high-profiled players and their opinions on what is more significant and meaningful—winning a World Baseball Classic championship or World Series title?
But, rather than hear the common, generic takes, what are former and active superstars thinking? What are their thoughts on the difference, similarities and everything in between the importance of capturing one or the other?
In a sit-down interview posted on MLB’s Youtube channel between Cooperstown Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. and Dominican Republic’s Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays, the duo discussed the exact topic.
Griffey Jr.: “It means a lot to a lot of people. It’s different, it’s for a country. Those three weeks mean so much to so many people. The bragging rights of the world.”
Caminero: “For me, for my country, yes. Because somebody told me that ‘the WBC is better to play I think than a World Series.'”
Griffey Jr.: “I can understand that. Every year there is a World Series. You win the WBC… it’s really special. It may not be the bigger than the two but more people watch because there’s a lot of people that look and act like you that are in that game.”
Junior Caminero and Team Dominican Republic are looking to capture the country’s second-ever World Baseball Classic championship as the first came in the 2013 WBC – Image Credit: World Baseball Classic/Major League Baseball
Dominican Republic’s Julio Rodríguez of the Seattle Mariners, winning the AL LatinoMVP in 2023 and AL LatinoMVP Rookie of the Year in 2022, was asked a question on the topic during this past Thursday afternoon’s practice for Team Dominican Republic at loanDepot Park ahead of the D.R.’s World Baseball Classic quarterfinal matchup vs. Korea on Friday—first pitch at 6:30PM ET (FOX Sports 2).
“I love the Mariners,” Rodríguez said, according to Foul Territory. “They know I give my best for them every single time I step on the field, but winning the World Baseball Classic is at the top of the list.”
When Manny Machado, also a NL LatinoMVP Award recipient, winning in 2023, was asked by Foul Territory, his response was as follows:
“It will definitely be up there (winning a WBC). It’s an impossible question. I gotta get one or the other, I don’t have either. So, whichever one comes first.”
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