Team Canada’s baseball stars sparked a social media frenzy by practicing in hockey jerseys ahead of their World Baseball Classic quarterfinal against the United States.
The team entered Daikin Park looking to channel their national identity for the showdown following a month of sporting agony on the ice.
Players donned the red long-sleeved jerseys during batting as they prepared to face their fiercest rivals.
The move is a direct nod to the recent double heartbreak in Milan, where both the Canadian men’s and women’s hockey teams lost their Olympic gold medal games to the Americans.
‘There’s always a rivalry between the U.S. and Canada. It’s just the way it is,’ Canada manager Ernie Whitt said before the game.
The squad received some pre-game motivation from hockey legends Sidney Crosby and Jarome Iginla, who sent personal video messages to the team.
‘It’s nice to have other athletes that have represented the country at a high level and are playing in a major sport, so they’ve been through it,’ said infielder Edouard Julien.
‘They know what it is, the competition between the U.S., and just playing big games. So, it’s always great to have some videos to motivate you.’
More to follow…
