'No greater honor' -- MLB players express American pride ahead of World Baseball Classic

Team USA pitcher Paul Skenes.

American baseball players are set to begin the annual World Baseball Classic on Wednesday, and heading into the tournament, U.S. players are having no trouble whatsoever handling questions about their feelings on representing the U.S. on the global stage.

As Dave Rubin noted in last week's "Return to Normalcy" newsletter, an encouraging shift appears to be starting to take place in American culture and athletes are starting to show American pride again, not worried about whether that pride will carry political implications. That shift appeared evident with the Team USA hockey players after they accepted President Trump's invitation to attend the State of the Union address after the team's big win over Canada to clinch the gold medal.

America's baseball players seem to be having no problem expressing their pride in the U.S.

“I’m proud to be an American," said Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies, who will be playing outfield for Team USA in the tournament. "There's no greater feeling than going out there listening to your national anthem blare over the speakers knowing what you represent."

Harper's remarks were made on ESPN and weren't even in response to a leading question from reporters, like what was seen throughout the Olympics press conferences. "It's for the greater good of America, what we're doing," Harper added. "It's for the people."

Pittsburgh Pirates ace pitcher Paul Skenes voiced a similar sentiment. “I'm from America, I love America," Skenes said in an interview with MLB network. "There's no bigger stage or no greater honor than wearing USA across your chest.” 

Skenes then talked about spending two years studying at the Air Force Academy, before transferring to LSU, where he won a national championship. The hurler said he intended to serve in the Air Force after graduating, had he not transferred. He said playing for Team USA partially satisfied his desire to serve his country.

Finally, New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, the Team USA captain, gave a speech on sacrifice to his teammates ahead of the World Baseball Classic. Judge -- who's been dubbed "Captain America" -- emphasized that players are making a sacrifice by playing for Team USA ahead of a long regular season. "Sacrifice for your family at home. You're sacrificing for your country," Judge said in a short clip of the speech that was posted on X. 

Watch the clip from Judge's speech below. And sign up for Dave's newsletter here.