Sogard brings MLB pedigree, new socks to Czech team 

TOKYO -- When the Czech Republic took the field for the first time in World Baseball Classic history in a dramatic 8-5 win on Friday afternoon, there were two noticeable changes from the team that qualified in Regensburg: First, there was former MLB infielder Eric Sogard in the lineup. It's the first time in Czech National Team history that a Major Leaguer has suited up for the team.

"Eric is a special guy," manager Pavel Chadim said. "He's a great guy. And if you have a combination of so much experience from MLB and such a good guy, like, man, that's great for the other players. He's one of the leaders of our team now."

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And the second difference? The team has some brand new striped socks courtesy of their new, extremely stylish second baseman.

"MLB fans around the States know I always wear my pants up and always have have socks that are somewhat special -- you know, stripes or stirrups or something," Sogard said. "I thought that would be a good way to do something to bring to the team here, bring my part of what I like in my game. I know there's quite a few guys who wear their pants up as well, so I figured hey, let's bring socks for everybody. If they want to wear them, they can wear them and we can look good together."

That spirit of togetherness is something that sets the Czech team apart from some of the others in the tournament. Only 10,000 people play the sport in the nation and most of the team have played for the national team and in the Czech Baseball Extraliga together for years -- if not decades. It could be difficult for a newcomer, even an MLB player like Sogard, to find his fit in the clubhouse.

"I learned from day one how hard these guys work, how hard they prepare and how much they love the game," Sogard said. "It's been great for me to be able to jump right in and join them. They've greeted me with open arms -- especially for me not playing the last year and a half, it's been really helpful the way they brought me in to get comfortable, be with them and get prepared."

Sogard's presence on the team has added another dimension to the lineup, as well. In addition to his solid defense at second base, his bat-to-ball skills allowed manager Pavel Chadim to try the hit-and-run multiple times in Friday's win against China without worrying about him striking out.

"It's awesome to have a guy on the team who has got 10 years with Major League experience," veteran first baseman Martin Mužík said. "We all can learn from him, his movement on the field."

But Sogard's impact on the team goes beyond what he brings on the field. He may have just been with the club for a few days, but he's already become an important teammate and member of the clubhouse.

"What I love about him is he's always smiling," Mužík said. "He pops out, he breaks his bat, he strikes out -- he comes in the dugout smiling, as if nothing happened. Not everybody is like that."

That attitude made him a fan favorite during his big league career. He was known as "Nerd Power" for his signature spectacles and "The Face of MLB" for a Twitter competition that nearly saw him defeat David Wright. Mention Sogard on Twitter and to this day, people will respond that he's "The Face of MLB," despite it happening nearly a decade ago -- a lifetime in internet terms.

"That was the Oakland fans taking over Twitter for that 'Face of MLB' run," Sogard remembered. "It just shows the passion of the fans in Oakland and how much they enjoy the game that they have that power to make me a finalist there."

After going 2-for-5 and helping the Czech team pick up the first World Baseball Classic victory in its history, the man who has added a third nickname to his arsenal -- his new teammates call him "Sogi," -- is looking forward to the challenge of facing Japan on Saturday (5 a.m. ET, FS1).

"The Japanese team is one of the best in the world, if not the best," Sogard said. "I know for a lot of [my teammates], it will be their first time competing against the best, but I'm very excited for them. I'm excited that they will compete and they will have fun and they will surprise people while they do it."