The World Baseball Classic starts next week. The WBC is meant for superstars like Fernando Tatis Jr., who love to represent their countries on the biggest stage. This is the World Cup of baseball. It doesn't have the same feel as the World Cup, but these international baseball players have waited their whole lives to be a part of the WBC.

Fernando Tatis Jr. is from the Dominican Republic. His dad, Fernando Tatis, was a home run hitter who is known for being the only MLB player ever to hit two grand slams in one inning … off the same pitcher. That may never happen again. Tatis is now a manager for a team in the Dominican Republic, and his son, Tatis Jr., has played for that team, leading them to a winter league championship. Tatis Jr. is a great MLB player for the San Diego Padres, but representing the DR is what makes Tatis Jr. the happiest. He was meant to play for the DR in the WBC.

Ahead of his departure alongside Manny Machado, Tatis Jr. talked about what it means for him to play for Team DR.

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“It means the world. Where I come from, my family, what I am about, the culture, I am really happy I can represent the Dominican Republic. I am truly blessed to be from that small island.”