Trayce Thompson is no stranger to being part of winning teams. The Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder, who is also the brother of Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson, will represent Great Britain in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Their first challenge will come Saturday night against Team USA, with Adam Wainwright taking the mound for their opponents.
Before the game, Thompson made sure to share an important message with his teammates. As reported by Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Thompson reminded everyone that in baseball, anything can happen, urging them to embrace the moment.
Reflecting on last season’s Dodgers, who won 111 games but were shockingly eliminated in the first round by the San Diego Padres, Thompson emphasized that baseball’s unpredictability is what makes it special.
The Dodgers’ unexpected early playoff exit at the hands of the Padres serves as a prime example of baseball’s wild nature. Great Britain may not be the favorite heading into their matchup with Team USA, but Thompson’s perspective is a reminder that anything can come to play in the game.
The 2017 World Baseball Classic, when Team USA pulled off an unlikely victory, only reinforces the point that baseball is full of surprises. Thompson’s message is one of optimism, and it will be interesting to see if Great Britain’s stars carry that mindset into their game.
