When a Team Italy player hits a home run, he dons an Armani jacket and takes a shot of espresso (and don't forget the kiss on each cheek from the team captain). Forget the game ball given to the player who made the biggest difference; in this clubhouse, there's a game bottle of wine. And all of it is set to a soundtrack of Andrea Bocelli, the legendary Italian opera singer.
This is Team Italy, the unlikely underdog of the World Baseball Classic, whose celebrations and gioia di vivere have charmed baseball fans far beyond the shores of the Mediterranean. And their unexpected success on the field — undefeated in pool play, including a stunning 8-6 win over Team USA on Tuesday — means they have as clear a path to a title as any of their competitors.
