Mike Trout will never forget his first World Baseball Classic.
"It's hard to sum up into words what these last couple of weeks have meant to me. I had the time of my life representing that USA on my chest," the Los Angeles Angels superstar and United States captain tweeted Wednesday after his team lost to Japan in the WBC final Tuesday.
He added: "The energy was electric and made the WBC a moment I'll always cherish. So, thank you all so much. It was an honor to be your captain."
Trout slashed .296/.406/.556 with one home run and seven RBIs across seven contests. However, he struck out a team-leading 12 times during the tournament, which included a Hollywood-esque strikeout during the final at-bat of the WBC against Angels teammate Shohei Ohtani.
Trout vs Ohtani lived up to the HYPE! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/Z8aZAjpDRg
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 22, 2023
Trout gushed about his experience at the event despite the memorable defeat.
"This was probably the funnest 10 days I've ever had," Trout said postgame, according to Deesha Thosar of Fox Sports.
The three-time AL MVP also confirmed he'll suit up for the U.S. when the WBC returns in 2026.
"I already told them I am doing the next one. I am already in. If I'm DH-ing, playing left field, whatever they want, I'm in," Trout said Tuesday, per Fox Sports.
