Why is the US finally treating the World Baseball Classic like a World Cup?

Many of the game's top players have skipped the tournament in the past. But this year teams across the world are fielding strong rosters

There's something different about the lead-up to the World Baseball Classic (WBC) this year. Don't take a writer's word for it - the players themselves have noticed. The hype is a little bit higher this time around," according to Nolan Arenado, the St Louis Cardinals' All-Star third baseman. There's more guys that want to [play on the US team this year]."

Arenado would know - he's one of the few holdovers from the US team that won the previous tournament in 2017 (the 2021 edition was cancelled owing to Covid). Arenado's teammate on the Cardinals, reigning National League MVP Paul Goldschmidt, was also on the 2017 squad. Possibly even more importantly, Goldschmidt may be one of the reasons for the increased interest in the WBC among Major League Baseball players.