SARASOTA, Fla. — Gunnar Henderson is still looking for his first signature moment.
The Orioles shortstop has made plenty of highlight-reel plays, his tape defined by monster home runs, slick defensive maneuvers and a few well-timed hair flips. And while he’s established himself as one of the most exciting young stars in the game, there has yet to be a true intersection of the national spotlight and Henderson coming through in a big spot.
He’ll get his chance starting this week when the World Baseball Classic begins. Henderson earned a spot on Team USA’s star-studded roster, the first time he’ll suit up for a national team at any level. Though he will have to compete for playing time with Bobby Witt Jr., Alex Bregman and Ernie Clement, Henderson has the opportunity to follow the likes of Adam Jones as an Orioles star adding another chapter to his legacy in the WBC.
“It’s been always something that I’ve wanted to do,” Henderson said. “Being able to represent your country is something that, personally, it’s a true honor to be able to do that. And to be able to do that for your home country is just super special, I know for a lot of guys, but really close to me because that’s something that I hold very near and dear to me, is our country.”
Henderson, born and raised in the Black Belt of Alabama, takes great pride in suiting up with the initials U-S-A across his jersey. His grandfather served in the National Guard, and he was raised with great respect for veterans and service members. Playing for Team USA offers him a chance to do something for his country in the way he knows best.
“Everybody who does any type of service for the country has my utmost respect,” Henderson said. “That’s something that I know I can’t service our country in that way, but being able to do it in what I’m good at is something that I feel like, for me, it’s really cool for me to be able to do that because, like I said, we don’t get to serve our country in that way. But being able to do it in what we’re good at is pretty cool.”
It also allows the Orioles’ franchise player to gain experience under the brightest of lights. The Orioles have yet to advance past the American League Division Series since Henderson debuted in 2022. Baltimore made a slew of win-now moves this offseason with hopes of contending for a World Series, and the experience Henderson gains from the high-pressure environment of the WBC certainly couldn’t hurt their chances.
The Orioles will also gain exposure through Henderson. While teams such as the Boston Red Sox are sending more than a dozen players to the WBC, Henderson’s only other teammates on the major league roster participating are outfielder Tyler O’Neill (Canada), starter Dean Kremer (Israel), and relievers Jose Espada and Rico Garcia (both Puerto Rico). Outfield prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr. is playing for Team Panama.
“It’s all what the player goes into it with the mindset of what he wants to get out of it,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “The way Gunnar is seeing it as, he’s excited to go and have USA across his chest and represent the country. So, I couldn’t be more excited for him. He gets to play with the best players in the world because he’s one of them, and he’s earned that right and deserves every bit of it. So, I’m just happy for him that he gets to go and play for Team USA and showcase his talent.”
The Americans enter the tournament riding the momentum of their men’s and women’s hockey teams winning gold in the Winter Olympics. Henderson said the Team USA group chat blew up after Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal in overtime to beat Canada in the men’s gold medal game, and he’s already been texting many of his soon-to-be teammates, including Witt — his primary competition for playing time at shortstop.
Henderson got into a Grapefruit League game at his old position of third base to prepare for the likely scenario in which he shifts over on the infield. Manager Mark DeRosa told him that whoever was swinging the hottest bats would be in the lineup, and he’s prepared to play either position to get his chance at a signature moment.
“I remember every single piece of that play,” Henderson said of Jones robbing a home run off his former teammate Manny Machado in a crucial game against the vaunted Dominican Republic in 2017. “Being able to have that, I know for Jonesy, being able to have that type of play in that type of setting, and doing it for your country, that’s unreal. That’d be something that everybody would look forward to.”
Back then, the WBC was still a relatively new showcase, and national teams struggled to attract some of the sport’s biggest stars. That changed when Team USA went on its memorable 2017 run to beat Puerto Rico for the championship title, captivating fans and superstar players alike.
“I think ’17 changed the whole tournament,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who was Puerto Rico’s general manager in 2017. “What we did with that team, everything they did, from the hair and the way that we play, having Carlos [Correa] and Javy [Báez] and [Francisco] Lindor playing with emotion and having fun. I think people were like, ‘Oh, it’s a cool tournament.’ And obviously that year, USA won but the last two, this roster and last roster, that’s real, they have the best of the best. So, I think people are buying into it.”
Henderson will play for a roster that includes Witt, Aaron Judge, Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Cal Raleigh, Mason Miller and Clayton Kershaw. Standing out among that group, which is looking for revenge after finishing runner-up to Japan in 2023, will take one of the biggest performances of his life.
“They say it’s even higher stakes than the World Series,” Henderson said.
Perhaps his moment has finally arrived.
Have a news tip? Contact Matt Weyrich at mweyrich@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/ByMattWeyrich and instagram.com/bymattweyrich. Matt appears as a regular host on The Sun’s “Early Birds” podcast.
