The World Baseball Classic will feature MLB players representing a variety of countries, giving them a chance to honor their heritage in the sport.
San Francisco Giants outfielder Harrison Bader will be playing in his first WBC tournament, representing Team Israel. The veteran hitter will lead Israel in its third consecutive WBC, joining a team that has previously featured MLB professionals Joc Pederson and Jason Marquis.
As Bader prepares to take the field for Israel, here’s why he and many other MLB players are suiting up for the team.
MORE: Full WBC rosters for every team in the tournament
Why is Harrison Bader playing for Israel in the WBC?
Harrison Bader is one of many Jewish baseball players who will suit up for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic. Any player with Jewish heritage is eligible to play for Israel in this competition, and Bader grew up Jewish on his father’s side.
“I’m looking forward to playing for Team Israel in 2026 for the World Baseball Classic, so that’ll be amazing,” Bader said last year. “I’m fully healthy, I plan on being fully healthy, and it’s something I’m certainly looking forward to doing. So that’ll be super cool for so many reasons.”
Bader added he hoped to play for Israel in the 2023 WBC, but an oblique injury kept him out of that tournament.
MORE: World Baseball Classic schedule and how to watch each game
Harrison Bader stats
| Year | Team(s) | Games | Hits | Runs | HRs | RBIs | SB | BA | OBP | OPS |
| 2017 | Cardinals | 32 | 20 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 2 | .235 | .283 | .659 |
| 2018 | Cardinals | 138 | 100 | 61 | 12 | 37 | 15 | .264 | .334 | .756 |
| 2019 | Cardinals | 128 | 71 | 54 | 12 | 39 | 11 | .205 | .314 | .680 |
| 2020 | Cardinals | 50 | 24 | 21 | 4 | 11 | 3 | .226 | .336 | .779 |
| 2021 | Cardinals | 103 | 98 | 45 | 16 | 50 | 9 | .267 | .324 | .785 |
| 2022 | Cardinals/Yankees | 86 | 73 | 38 | 5 | 30 | 17 | .250 | .294 | .650 |
| 2023 | Yankees/Reds | 98 | 74 | 44 | 7 | 40 | 20 | .232 | .274 | .622 |
| 2024 | Mets | 143 | 95 | 57 | 12 | 51 | 17 | .236 | .284 | .657 |
| 2025 | Twins/Phillies | 146 | 124 | 61 | 17 | 54 | 11 | .277 | .347 | .796 |
Bader has played for six teams in his nine-year MLB career, but he is mainly known for his excellent defense. The outfielder won a gold glove award in 2021 for his work in center field.
MORE: Ranking every team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic
Notable players on Israel WBC roster
Team Israel is made up of Jewish professional players, including Harrison Bader. Some of the most notable players on the roster are Philadelphia Phillies catcher Garrett Stubbs, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Dean Kremer, and Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz.
Additionally, veteran reliever Tommy Kahnle is playing for the team because he married into a Jewish family, making him eligible to join.
Team Israel World Baseball Classic schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time | TV Channel |
| 3/10 | Venezuela | 7:00 p.m. | FS2 |
| 3/11 | Nicaragua | 7:00 p.m. | Tubi |
| 3/12 | Dominican Republic | 12:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| 3/13 | Netherlands | 12:00 p.m. | Fox App |
