Notes: USA in WBC final, Dodger Stadium has new sponsor
· Yahoo Sports
In a World Baseball Classic, which by the way does not use the automatic ball-strike challenge system that is now in use in Major League Baseball, Team USA beat The Dominican Republic 2-1 in a thrilling semifinal matchup on Sunday night at loanDepot Park in Miami.
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The game featured 23 total strikeouts, 15 by Dominican pitchers, and all three runs came on solo home runs. Junior Caminero got things started for the Dominicans in the second innings, while Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony each went deep in the fourth to give Team USA the lead. It was a white-knuckle ride the rest of the way, with three hits and no runs after the fourth inning.
Will Smith singled once in his four at-bats in Sunday’s win. The United States in the championship game on Tuesday will play the winner of Monday’s Venezuela-Italy semifinal.
Dodger Stadium will always be Dodger Stadium, but things might be officially a little different beginning this season, at least with the presentation. Uniqlo, a worldwide fashion company that originated in Japan, has reached agreement with the Dodgers to be the official field sponsor at MLB’s third-oldest stadium, entering its 65th season in 2026.
From Katie Woo at The Athletic:
Dodger Stadium’s name will remain unchanged. The Dodgers did not sell the naming rights to their ballpark and were not open to doing so throughout the process. Protecting the legacy of Dodger Stadium, which has been the name of the historic park since its opening in 1962, was a top priority for the organization. However, Uniqlo will hold the rights to the playing field, which will likely be named Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium.
Mookie Betts hit his first home run this spring on Sunday against the Cubs in Mesa. Coming off the worst offensive season of his career, Betts is fully healthy this spring and talked with Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register about trying to regain the bat speed he has lost over recent years, especially after last spring’s stomach virus that cost him 20 pounds.
From Plunkett:
Betts said he is back to his usual playing weight this spring, has gained back the lost strength and – even at age 33 – bat speed.
“I think the most important part is I think I’m 178 now, almost 180. I’m able to just have speed,” he said. “When I lost all that weight, I was down 10 mph in (bat) speed. Guys are throwing 100 mph. With a slow bat, it’s going to be hard. It’s no excuse. It’s a fact. Now that I’ve got my speed back, I don’t have to hurry up and make decisions so fast.”