Team USA manager Jim Leyland was so impressed by Brandon Crawford’s defensive abilities when his Tigers faced the Giants in the 2012 World Series, he waited to praise with the Gold Glove shortstop during the 2014 postseason.
“I talked with him on the field during the playoffs (in 2014), and I expressed to him that he is — without question — one of my favorite players in the big leagues today,” Leyland told Jon Morosi of MLB Network. “I love the way he plays the game. I love the way he goes about his business.”
Crawford confirmed to Leyland that he will be joining Team USA for the upcoming World Baseball Classic during a telephone conversation Wednesday.
“I didn’t want to take up too much of his time when we talked (Monday) night. But he is in, as of now. He’s fired up about it, and so am I. I’m just thrilled about it, that he’s accepted the invitation.”
Crawford, 30, is coming off maybe he best all-around year as a pro, winning his second consecutive Gold Glove and posting career highs in batting average and on-base percentage in 2016. He finished 12th in MVP voting, the first time he’s ever made the short list.
Leyland continued to heap praise on the two-time World Champion in his conversation with MLB Network.
“He’s one of those guys where, to me, you talk about athletes and you talk about baseball players,” Leyland said. “He’s a baseball player. He’s a good athlete, obviously, but I look for baseball players. In just about every situation I’ve ever seen him, he makes big plays.
“He does it all. He knocks in runs. He makes big plays in the field. He’ll run into one (and hit a home run). He’s a big-time player on a big stage. That’s one of the reasons I was so interested in him. He’s come out on top quite a bit. He’s the kind of guy you want on your team.”
Crawford will be joined by teammate Buster Posey who confirmed his participation in the tournament earlier this month. It will mark the first time both have played for Team USA. Both Crawford and Posey will miss a chunk of spring training and should the United States reach the finals, would have just two weeks to recharge before the 2017 regular season.
The tournament, in its fourth iteration, takes place between March 9-22.