Orioles pitcher Dean Kremer has been a crucial member of Israel's pitching staff for the last decade -- even appearing for the team at European Baseball Championships years before the team qualified for the World Baseball Classic. Kremer was then the youngest player on the roster at the 2016 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers -- pitching one shutout inning against Great Britain to confirm Israel's spot in the 2017 tournament. He appeared again in the 2017 tournament taking on Chinese Taipei before tossing four shutout innings against Nicaragua in the 2023 tournament.
"Every time I've gotten the chance to put on the uniform, it's been so much fun," Kremer said on Monday's episode of the Max Mannis Pod. "Win, lose or draw, I've had such a good time being surrounded by a bunch of guys that are very similar to me. Anybody that's asked me, like, 'Hey, should I play in the WBC? What are your thoughts about it?' Regardless of the country that they want to play for, do it. It's so much fun. You play for pride."
It shouldn't be surprising then that Israel's ace announced his intention to return for the 2026 tournament.
"As of right now, [I'm] planning to play in 2026," Kremer said. "I'll be one of the guys on Team Israel. I think this go around, we're going to see a few new faces -- hopefully with some big league tenure."
After being a Cinderella story in 2017, sweeping the first round and dropping tight ballgames to Japan and Cuba in the second round, Israel struggled in a difficult Miami pool in 2023. The team went just 1-3, its lone victory against Nicaragua confirming the nation's spot in the 2026 tournament. The team already has a few pieces in place for next year, with Kremer being joined by Twins outfielder Harrison Bader, while catcher Garrett Stubbs told comedian and podcaster Eitan Levine that he also intends to suit up for Israel next year.
Israel's tournament will begin at 7 p.m. ET on March 7, when they take on Venezuela in Miami. Full ticket strips for that pool went on sale Tuesday for Marlins members, with single-game tickets available to the general public on Jan. 15.