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| Shay Whitcomb / Photo: GettyImages |
[Sports Today reporter Kang Tae-gu] Shay Whitcomb of the Houston Astros, who donned the Korean national team jersey at the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), reflected on the experience.
On March 17 (KST), Whitcomb posted on his social media: \”Korea was a truly special team. I’m grateful to everyone who allowed me to represent Korea and to all the fans who supported me. It was a true honor.\”
Whitcomb, who qualified through his Korean mother, joined the national team ahead of the WBC and proudly wore the Taeguk emblem.
Jahmai Jones (Detroit Tigers) and Dane Dunning (Seattle Mariners) were among the other MLB players on Korea’s roster.
Whitcomb made an immediate impact in Korea’s first-round opener against the Czech Republic, launching back-to-back homers and helping Korea to an 11-4 victory.
After consecutive losses to Japan and Taiwan, Korea bounced back with a win over Australia and advanced to the WBC quarterfinals for the first time in 17 years.
In Miami, Korea faced the Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals but were handed a 10-0 loss via the mercy rule, bringing their run to an end.
Following the WBC, Whitcomb returned to the Astros and has been taking part in spring training games.
In his first game back on March 16, he drove in a run with a double against the Miami Marlins, and he later recorded multiple hits in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
[Sports Today reporter Kang Tae-gu sports@stoo.com]
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