World Baseball Classic exhibition action is underway, Saggese helps Italy beat Cubs

Six members of the Cardinals major league spring camp are away from the team to play in the World Baseball Classic. Thomas Saggese and Gordon Graceffo are on Team Italy; Leonardo Bernal is on Panama; Matt Koperniak is playing for Great Britain; Luis Gastelum is on the Mexico team; and Bryan Torres is playing for Puerto Rico.

Tuesday and Wednesday were exhibition days for the teams. Nicaragua played the Mets on Tuesday and will play the Cardinals Wednesday.

Team Italy played the Cubs on Tuesday at Sloan Park in Mesa. Even though they were in Arizona– with Graceffo and Saggese on the team– there were Cardinals fans in the stands. They were treated to a home run by Saggese to help give Team Italy the win over the Cubs, 9-4

If you wonder how much the tickets are selling for, we know of two people who paid $77 each for a ticket, and that was an exhibition game.

Pool play begins on Friday at different locations. Puerto Rico’s bracket is in San Juan. Team USA is in Houston.

Photo credits: Debbie Toberman