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Injury to keep former Athletics fan favorite out of World Baseball Classic
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- Injury to keep former Athletics fan favorite out of World Baseball Classic
Injury to keep former Athletics fan favorite out of World Baseball Classic originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Eric Sogard , a fan favorite during his six seasons with the Athletics , will not play in the 2026 World Baseball Classic due to injury.
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Baseball Czech, the official X account of the Czech Baseball Association, announced Sogard's disappointing news on Tuesday. The infielder represented Czechia in the 2023 edition of the tournament and was the only player on the roster with Major League experience.
Baseball Czech did not report Sogard's precise injury, but it's fair to assume it's severe enough to keep him off the field. He acquired Czech citizenship in 2022 and last played in MLB in 2021 with the Chicago Cubs .
Sogard's time with the A's
Throughout his 11 years in the Majors, Sogard was never the best or flashiest player on the field. But what he lacked in talent he made up for with hard work and hustle.
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He became a hit with the fans in Oakland during his time with the AL West club from 2010-15. Sogard's glasses helped him receive the nickname "Nerd Power" by the Oakland faithful at the A's home ballpark, Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
An offseason trade in 2010 sent Sogard and third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff to the A's and outfielders Scott Hairston and Aaron Cunningham to the San Diego Padres .
