'It was sick': Team USA in awe watching WBC coach Ken Griffey Jr's home run

The Americans are set for a showdown with Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals Saturday night.

USA TODAY

MIAMI — Practice was over, the day was done Friday, but the players on Team USA immediately gathered around the batting cage, trying to see the greatest show of this World Baseball Classic.

It was USA coaches Ken Griffey Jr. and Brian McCann playing spontaneous home run derby.

“We knew something was up when we saw Griffey bringing his own bat on the team bus,’’ Los Angeles Angels All-Star Mike Trout said. “We were hoping. We were begging. And then he did it.’’

Griffey, borrowing Trout’s batting gloves, played a single round of home-run derby, and on the last swing, his 10th, hit into the right-field seats at loanDepot Park.

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