Padres News: Xander Bogaerts Reflects On WBC Failures, Ready For Friars Season
After going just 2-2 in pool play, Netherlands is out of the WBC tournament and their leader Xander Bogaerts now rejoins the San Diego Padres in Spring Training. Their final game in the tournament ended with them getting outscored a total of 7-1.
Matt Harvey was able to just pick them apart in that final and pitched four innings in that match where he only allowed the opposing team to score just once. Bogaerts himself slowed down after a hot start in the WBC. He played a key role in the first two wins for the Netherlands but followed the country's team with their downhill play over the past two days.
Upon arrival back in Peoria for Spring training, Bogaerts join ed a media session provided by '97.3 The Fan' and gave his first thoughts detailing his country's shortcomings.
"I wasn't expecting to come back this early to be honest," said Bogaerts. "But obviously, we've got work to do here and back where I belong pretty much. But, as I said, I had a lot of fun in the tournament and I don't think anybody thought we were going to be back this early."
Bogaerts will certainly be glad to see the arrival of other Padres stars in the Cactus League very soon due to the Dominican Republic losing to Puerto Rico. Manny Machado and Juan Soto will be making an early return as well so he is not alone.
However, the 30-year-old did not hold back sharing his true feelings when asked how it left to lose in the WBC in such a quick manner. The star shortstop believes it's a great honor to suit up for his country.
"Disappointed, shocking, you know," said Bogaerts. "That's how it is, man. You gotta win. It doesn't matter how you start, it's about how you finish. These are guys that I grew up playing against at a very young age."