Baseball
Beck brothers proud to represent Great Britain at World Baseball Classic
San Francisco Giants pitcher Tristan Beck and his brother Brendan are proud to represent a new generation of professional baseball players redefining what it means to be British.
On Friday, the California siblings will suit up for Great Britain, who face Mexico in their opening game of the World Baseball Classic – the sport’s answer to football’s World Cup.
Some might look at the squad’s birthplaces, overwhelmingly in the United States, with scepticism about players’ true ties to the place emblazoned across their chests. The Becks, new recruits, see things differently.
“We personally have a very strong connection to Great Britain,” New York Yankees pitching prospect Brendan told the Press Association.
Their mum’s nationality, at least, is “100 per cent British”, and they share fond memories of growing up with a football-mad grandad with a Newport accent, known, remembers Tristan, as the “Welshman around town”.
“It was definitely present in our lives growing up,” Brendan added. “Everyone’s (connection) is a little bit different. Everyone here qualifies to play for GB, and just because some people may feel more strength and connection to the country doesn’t mean that they’re any better or have a bigger voice on the team.
“You don’t have to have a stronger conviction than other people. It really is just what works for you, and I think that makes it unique and pretty special, too.”
GB debuted at the 2023 WBC, where their maiden victory – upsetting Colombia – helped them earn automatic qualification for 2026. That is the primary target again, from a tough pool also comprised of Italy, Brazil, Mexico and the United States.
Three years ago they won hearts as underdogs, celebrating highlight plays in a sport known as America’s favourite “pastime” with a mimed tribute to one of Great Britain’s own – sipping tea. Team-mates anointed home run hitters with a robe and crown.
Tristan concedes some could use a ‘God Save the King’ refresher, but insists getting up to sing-along standard is “high on the priority list”.
Eight members of Essex-born Bradley Marcelino’s squad have Major League Baseball experience, including charismatic Bahamian co-captain Jazz Chisholm Jr, the Yankees second baseman who last represented GB in 2016.
Tristan said: “(Jazz) is just unapologetically himself, which I think in this day and age is really special.
“It really gives guys confidence to go out and be themselves too and the confidence of having a proven, established all-star big leaguer leading us into battle along with some of the other guys who have been here and done it.”
In 2025, Chisholm became one of just 51 players in MLB history to achieve at least 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in the same season.
Recruitment has changed drastically as a result of GB’s 2023 achievement, despite eligibility rules becoming stricter, through parents rather than grandparents.
GB performance director Gary Anderson added: “Jazz asked us (to come back). There was no convincing required.
“We don’t have to sell it anymore. People come looking for us now, rather than us having to go looking for them.”
