Winners and Losers of the 2017 World Baseball Classic
By Keaton Moore
While the United States took home the championship, many in the 2017 World Baseball Classic came out of the tournament for better or worse.
After a roller coaster ride of excitement and heartbreak, the 2017 World Baseball Classic came to an end Wednesday night. Even after the United States shut out Puerto Rico in the championship game to end the tournament, the impact of the WBC lingers over a number of players.
While many players came into the tournament hoping to bring their country glory, a large number entered the WBC with something to prove. Some, such as Chris Archer of the Tampa Bay Rays and Jurickson Profar from the Texas Rangers, showed their true colors in the tournament. Others used the WBC to spur major league comebacks, including Eric Gagne and Wladimir Balentien.
On the flip side, Nolan Arenado and Hector Rondon cracked under the high intensity of the tournament. Players who agree to the WBC understand the risk of injury, and Didi Gregorius made an early return to the New York Yankees for that very reason.
One even excelled in the tournament, but has yet to see anything come of it and his career is coming dangerously close to ending.
With that being said, here are a few of the winners and losers of the WBC.