Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman says his mother has faced online harassment for his decision to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
Stroman, whose mother was born in Puerto Rico, will face that country in Wednesday night’s World Baseball Classic championship game.
He tweeted about his plans in 2013 to play for Puerto Rico but changed his mind last year and committed to the U.S. squad.
“I know a lot of people have been saying bad things to her, going through the process, on social media,” Stroman told Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
“That’s my mother. I stand by her always. She supports me through everything. I don’t respect some of the comments that were made toward my mother.”
The U.S. beat Japan in Tuesday’s semifinal to set up the finale against Puerto Rico.
Stroman said he’s motivated for the contest and added that his mother never objected to his desire to pitch for the U.S., where he was born.
“She wanted me to pitch for the USA. She’s cool with it,” he said.
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