St. Louis Cardinals: What the World Baseball Classic Title Means For the USA

The only member of the St. Louis Cardinals that was on the field for the World Baseball Classic final was Puerto Rico’s Yadier Molina, but the championship for the United States could have lasting effects on American baseball.

The United States of America is World Baseball Classic Champions for the first time in the Classic’s four-tournament history. Matt Carpenter and Brett Cecil were the two St. Louis Cardinals tabbed to play for the American team, but neither appeared in a single game.

Carpenter withdrew from the tournament just days before the first round of pool play began, and Cecil, a member of the team’s reserve pitching pool, was never called upon as the tournament progressed. Only San Francisco Giants closer Mark Melancon was added to the team from the pitching pool.

Former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Pat Neshek excelled in the tournament, pitching four scoreless innings. He was often asked to get out of a jam in the late innings for the United States.

The narrative surrounding Team USA all month was twofold: the World Baseball Classic didn’t mean as much to the Americans as it did to other countries, and it was evidenced by the lack of emotion the American team displayed on the field.

At the end of the tournament, however, Team USA can point to the World Baseball Classic trophy to quell any lingering doubts about their commitment to winning:

This was the first time the American team had even reached the final game of the Classic. They were bounced in the second round of pool play in 2013. They previously appeared in the semifinal round in 2009.

What could this mean for Team USA in the future? Because Major League Baseball is such a pervasive and popular industry for baseball fans in the United States, the World Baseball Classic hasn’t gotten much national attention in the past aside from avid baseball fans. That could change with this championship.

The next World Baseball Classic won’t be until 2021. But for players watching from Spring Training in Arizona or Florida who didn’t participate this year, a American victory could certainly pique their interest in getting involved in four years.

Those who played on the American team in the tournament will now go their separate ways and return to Spring Training for a final week and a half before Opening Day of the Major League Baseball season.

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They bring with them the pride of an entire nation that comes from accomplishing what was always the goal of playing in the tournament: winning the World Baseball Classic.

The United States victory means that the WBC isn’t just a pushover exhibition anymore for the country. It means if you’re putting on the stars and stripes in the future, you’re expected to win. It means you’re there to defend your country’s title. And yes, it means you can have fun while playing baseball.

You feel for Matt Carpenter who was forced to skip the tournament because of soreness in his lower back. It was the right decision for his health and for the Cardinals, but it would have undoubtedly been a lot of fun for him to participate in, even if he hadn’t been a regular in Jim Leyland‘s lineup.

For Carpenter, missing the opportunity to hoist the WBC trophy with his fellow Americans could also give him added motivation to win a championship this year. Only speculation, of course. He doesn’t need me to lay out incentives for him this season.

Next: Questions That Surround the Cardinals' Pitching Staff

The World Baseball Classic brought welcome variation this year to what can sometimes feel like a monotonous Grapefruit League schedule. Now, the St. Louis Cardinals are only ten days out from Opening Night against the Cubs. Another trophy chase will soon begin.