SARASOTA, Fla. — Craig Albernaz was already set to lose an hour of sleep because of daylight saving time. His best player caused him to lose even more.
Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson kept his skipper up late Saturday evening watching Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, and his 4-for-5 night only increased Albernaz’s cortisol level.
“I couldn’t sleep,” Albernaz said. “I was fired up watching it. It was so cool.”
Henderson helped lead Team USA to a 9-1 win over Great Britain, smacking a game-high four hits with a double and a two-run single that broke the game open in the fifth inning. All four of his hits were lined at over 100 mph.
Since his rookie season in 2023, Henderson has been one of the best players in baseball. Over that span, Henderson ranks fourth in MLB in wins above replacement, according to Baseball-Reference’s estimation, behind only Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani and Bobby Witt Jr. But aside from the 2024 Home Run Derby, Henderson has rarely been in the national spotlight like he will be during the WBC.
“So cool for Gunnar, and also the rest of the fans to kind of see what Gunnar can do on the big stage and the impact player we all know he is,” Albernaz said. “To see him do that in that stage was awesome.”
On Henderson’s clutch, two-run single, he sprinted out of the box and never stopped after the center fielder bobbled the ball. Almost looking like a middle linebacker about to tackle a running back, Henderson dove headfirst into second base and popped up to fire up the Team USA dugout.
“After I hit it and saw him bobble it about two steps after first base, I don’t remember what happened from there,” Henderson said on MLB Network after the game. “That atmosphere is just unbelievable and so cool.”
GUNNAR HENDERSON DELIVERS WITH BASES LOADED FOR USA!
pic.twitter.com/1VNcxrCdOr
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 8, 2026
“Yeah, you don’t get those emotions in spring training,” Albernaz said with a laugh. “To see those emotions, especially a hustle double like that … I think that just shows how he plays the game. That’s why the WBC is so cool. You kind of get thrust into those competitive environments. I was fired up and couldn’t really sleep.”
The positive for Albernaz’s sleep schedule is that the Orioles planned for Sunday to be a late start anyway because of daylight saving time.
Craig Albernaz said he was “fired up” watching Gunnar Henderson go 4-for-5 for Team USA in the WBC last night.
“So cool for Gunnar and the rest of the fans to see what Gunnar can do on the big stage and the impact player we all know he is.” pic.twitter.com/eDBkMA3rgN
— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) March 8, 2026
Who might not be sleeping great is Team USA manager Mark DeRosa, who has challenging lineup decisions during the tournament. Only three spots are available for infielders Witt, Henderson, Alex Bregman, Brice Turang and Ernie Clement. So far, Bregman is the only member of the quintet to start both games, but the club has one more contest in pool play.
But it will be difficult to bench Henderson after his performance Saturday, and Orioles third baseman Jordan Westburg agrees.
“Keep that man in the lineup,” Westburg wrote on Instagram.
Have a news tip? Contact Jacob Calvin Meyer at jameyer@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/JCalvinMeyer.
