Mariners' Julio Rodriguez makes bold WBC vs. World Series proclamation

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Mariners' Julio Rodriguez makes bold WBC vs. World Series proclamation originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Seattle Mariners fans are trying to work out what they think of Julio Rodriguez's latest comments.

Essentially, the superstar centerfielder said he'd rather win the World Baseball Classic with the Dominican Republic than win the World Series with the Mariners.

This is his full answer:

"I love the Mariners. They know I give my best for them every single time I step on the field, but winning the World Baseball Classic is at the top of the list."

There are some who will likely be disappointed by this, and others who will recognize the reality of it.

The WBC doesn't have immense meaning in every nation that participates, but the Caribbean countries in particular have embraced it as a massive stage.

And each time Rodriguez takes the field for the Dominican Republic, he's representing his home.

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Baseball hasn't had a long history of international tournaments in the way that soccer has, but think about Lionel Messi. There's no question that for him the greatest accomplishment of his career was winning the World Cup for his native Argentina. That doesn't take away from all that he accomplished in a legendary club career at FC Barcelona.

Much the same with Rodriguez. He'll still do everything he can to lead the Mariners to their first-ever appearance in the World Series and hopefully win it, too.

But it's hard to beat the feeling of representing the place you're from, alongside those who experienced the same upbringing as you, trying to grab glory on a world stage.

Rodriguez's answer is fair and special, really, no matter how some fans might view it.

More MLB news:​

• Team USA has a finalized WBC roster and an awesome lineup
• Dominican Republic WBC roster is loaded with stars
• An Edwin Diaz nightmare looms for the Mets
• Buster Posey will change Hall of Fame voting forever
• How Jose Ramirez is on pace to become Cleveland's Derek Jeter
• Phillies' phenom has an MLB All-Star father

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