Fansided

Marcus Stroman shines as Team USA takes home WBC title

By Trent Richardet

Mar 22, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; USA pitcher Marcus Stroman (6) throws in the fourth inning against Puerto Rico during the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; USA pitcher Marcus Stroman (6) throws in the fourth inning against Puerto Rico during the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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In their first WBC championship game, Team USA won big due to the effort of Marcus Stroman

In the short history of the World Baseball Classic, Team USA had never reached the tournament final until this year. The team’s success has been mostly down to their dominant starting pitching staff. The championship game was no exception. After an Ian Kinsler two-run home run in the third inning, the U.S. never looked back, eventually defeating the defending champs 8-0.

Heading into last night’s game, Puerto Rico had rolled through the tournament, going undefeated through pool play and into the tournament final. Opposing pitching staffs had trouble slowing down their dominant offensive lineup.

You wouldn’t believe that was the case after watching Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman dominate their lineup through six strong innings, not surrendering a single hit until inning number seven. In all, Stroman struck out three, walked one and gave up only the one hit, throwing 73 pitches. Taking into account his strong performance against the Dominican Republic earlier in the tournament and his dominant start last night, he was named the MVP of the World Baseball Classic.

Stroman had the option to play for Team USA or Team Puerto Rico heading into the tournament. Although he was born in New York, his mother is Puerto Rican, which made him eligible for their roster as well. After choosing to represent the United States, reports of vulgar comments toward he and his mother about the decision surfaced on social media from fans of team Puerto Rico.

Stroman told Fox Sports: “I know a lot of people have been saying bad things to her, going through the process, on social media. That’s my mother. I stand by her always. She supports me through everything. I don’t respect some of the comments that were made toward her.”

Related Story: Team USA stuns Puerto Rico in WBC Final

His nearly perfect outing last night may or may not have been fueled by some of those comments. Nevertheless, Team USA couldn’t have been happier to have him on their side, as he helped make baseball history.

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