It looks like you’ll see someone teasing another all season long in the St. Louis Cardinals clubhouse this year.

St. Louis infielder Tommy Edman, a mixed-race player with a Korean mother, was named to the Korean national team for the first time in the WBC tournament. And the list of the Japanese national team, which was officially announced on the 26th, included St. Louis outfielder Lars Nuthba, who was born to a Japanese mother. It is the first time that both Korea and Japan have foreign players on their roster.

Since Edmon was drafted by St. Louis in 2016 and Nutba in 2018, the two players have played on the same team throughout. This is the first time I will face off wearing a different uniform. It is also a big tournament in the baseball world called the WBC. This is why the two players have no choice but to expect a confrontation. Korea and Japan, who are in the same Group B, will face off in the preliminary round on March 10 at the Tokyo Dome in Japan.

In an exclusive interview with Spotify News on the 26th, Edman said, “Many people have asked me about the rivalry with Japan. I am looking forward to feeling that rivalry together, and I hope we can defeat Japan.”

After Edman confirmed joining the national team, he spoke with Nutba. “Nutba is also looking forward to playing for the Japanese national team. It will be really fun to play against him. He is also a good friend from St. Louis. The winning side will be able to tease the losing side throughout the season,” he said. It’s the same (laughs). I look forward to competing against each other.” 메이저놀이터

In addition to Nutba, St. Louis has produced national team players in various countries, including Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, Adam Wainwright (USA), Giovanni Gallegos (Mexico), Henesis Cabrera (Dominican Republic), and Tyler O’Neill (Canada). Kim Gwang-hyun, who played in St. Louis from 2020 to 2021, was also pleased, saying, “About 6 people from the team appeared on the WBC. Every team I go to seems to have (a colleague).”

Edman said, “Most of the Cardinals players are close to me, so I think it’ll be fun. We’ve had experience facing each other in spring training, but it’s the first time we’re facing each other in a national competition. It’s really the first time we’ve met on the global stage of the WBC. I think it will be a fun experience, and fierce competition is expected.”

For Edmund, boarding the WBC is a special opportunity. He said, “I am very happy to be the first mixed-Korean player to play in the national team. It is a special feeling to be able to represent Korea in this way. I hope we can pave the way for the players to move forward.”