Two Los Angeles Dodgers stars have taken a creative leap off the field, producing a documentary that dives deep into the vibrant baseball culture of their homeland and its storied rivalry with another Caribbean powerhouse.
Kiké Hernández and Edwin Díaz have stepped into the role of executive producers for "El Clasico del Clasico," a film that recently premiered on MLB Network. This Spanish-language documentary, also available for free on YouTube with English subtitles, offers an intimate look at the baseball scene in Puerto Rico.
The documentary takes viewers on a journey through Puerto Rico's small towns, where future Major League stars first hone their skills in local parks. It explores the passion driving these players to represent their country in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) and delves into the intense rivalry with the Dominican Republic. The film also revisits each WBC tournament, including Díaz’s injury, providing a comprehensive narrative of this international showdown.
Hernández and Díaz are joined by a stellar lineup of contributors. The documentary features insights from fellow Dodgers and Puerto Rican players like Javier Báez, Carlos Delgado, Alexis Díaz, Francisco Lindor, Christian Vázquez, and Eddie Rosario.
Puerto Rico's manager Yadier Molina, Hall of Famer Iván Rodríguez, and historian Angel Colon also lend their voices. From the Dominican side, legends such as Robinson Canó, Teoscar Hernández, and Hall of Famers David Ortiz and Vladimir Guerrero Sr. share their perspectives.
For players like Hernández and Díaz, the World Baseball Classic represents the pinnacle of their sport. Despite being sidelined by surgery, Hernández remains deeply connected to his teammates and the tournament's spirit. “I’m still bummed that I don’t get to be a part of it, but I still support my people,” he shared, emphasizing the tournament's significance.
“For us, this tournament is just as important or even more important than our work in the Major Leagues,” Hernández passionately states in the documentary. This sentiment resonates beyond Puerto Rico, with even American stars like Yankees’ Aaron Judge expressing that the WBC surpasses the World Series in excitement.
David Ortiz echoes this patriotic fervor, admitting he’d trade a World Series title for a WBC championship. “Truthfully, thinking about it.
I think so. Because I’m very patriotic.
I’m very Dominican. I am ‘team my people,’” Ortiz declares.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the World Baseball Classic holds a special place in the hearts of players and fans alike, capturing the essence of national pride and the love of the game.