The calls began coming in August, and they didn't stop. Netherlands manager Hensley Meulens had a player who was excited about the upcoming World Baseball Classic, then still seven months away, and he wanted the manager to hear all about it.

That player was Andruw Jones, a former five-time All-Star during his time in the majors with the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees. Jones, now with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, was already a highly accomplished player, but his passion for the WBC had been ignited.

"Andruw has been talking to me since August of last year about this tournament," Meulens said. "Because that's how deep into it he wanted to get. Compared to the first time in 2006 when he played, he wasn't really into it. Now, he's poured all his heart and desire into this and he's pulling guys with him."