PHOENIX -- When Team USA takes the field for the World Baseball Classic with a star-studded roster Monday night at Chase Field, Freddie Freeman will be in the other dugout wearing a red uniform with Canada written across his chest.
The Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman turned down the option to play for the United States in this year's WBC, choosing instead to represent the country where his late mother was born and grew up.
It's the same decision he made in 2017, when the U.S. won the tournament. Like then, Canada is a long shot, while Team USA is a favorite to take the title, but that's not what's important to Freeman.