Some MLB players have dual citizenships that allow them to play for multiple countries in international competitions.
At the moment, the World Baseball Classic (WBC) is getting most of our attention, and Marcus Stroman and Adam Ottavino made history as two of only a handful of players who have represented two countries at the event.
“With Adam Ottavino pitching for USA after playing for Italy in 2009, he’s the 4th player to represent 2 nations at the @WBCBaseballjoining: Marcus Stroman: USA 17 + PUR 23, Paul Rutgers: Australia 06 + South Africa 09, Bruce Chen: Panama 06, 09 + China 17,” MLB stats expert Saran Langs tweeted.
With Adam Ottavino pitching for USA after playing for Italy in 2009, he’s the 4th player to represent 2 nations at the @WBCBaseballjoining:
Marcus Stroman: USA 17 + PUR 23
Paul Rutgers: Australia 06 + South Africa 09
Bruce Chen: Panama 06, 09 + China 17h/t @EliasSports
—Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) March 13, 2023
Rutgers was the first player to represent two nations at the WBC in 2009 when he chose to play for South Africa after doing it for Australia in 2006.
Then Chen did it in 2017, representing China in 2017 after playing two Classics with Panama.
Stroman not only played for United States in 2017, but he was the tournament MVP back then.
In addition to that, he dominated Puerto Rico, the team with which he is playing in 2023, in the final game.
Ottavino, on the other hand, decided to play for the United States in the current edition of the competition after doing it for Italy in 2009.
The New York City native had the luxury of representing the land of his ancestors and also his native country, something that most players can’t do.
Ottavino had a brilliant 2.06 ERA in 65.2 innings last season with the New York Mets, and pitched a clean inning for United States in Sunday’s 11-5 loss against Mexico.
He is one of the most important bullpen arms for Team USA and will prove his worth in the rest of the Pool C participation.
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