00:00If you've been following the Detroit Tigers, you know that Ja Mai Jones has carved out a specific role for
00:06himself.
00:07He's here to hit left-handed pitching.
00:09That skill is what took him from a non-roster invitee last spring to a regular contributor down the stretch
00:14and into the postseason.
00:17And it's also what earned him a spot on Team Korea for the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
00:23But when he stepped into the batter's box on Friday, the first pitcher he faced was his own teammate, Tarek
00:29Skubal.
00:29Last year's Cy Young winner.
00:31Not exactly a warm-up.
00:33Jones walked away, shaking his head after that at bat.
00:36And yeah, he struck out.
00:37In a few weeks he might face some of the best arms Japan has to offer.
00:41But even that might not compare to what Skubal threw at him on day one of camp.
00:45And honestly, he wouldn't have it any other way.
00:48As Jones put it, if you want to know where you stand, you go up against the best.
00:52But this spring is about more than just getting ready for the season.
00:56Jones has been locked in from the start.
00:57Not only because of Skubal, but because he's preparing to represent Korea, his mother's birthplace, in the World Baseball Classic.
01:04It's something he set as a goal a year ago.
01:07And now, it's happening.
01:08He called it one of the most important things he's ever done in baseball.
01:12Saying it means everything to him to do this for his mom, for his family, and for himself.
01:17He shared that the whole process, from hearing it was a possibility, to making the provisional roster, to finally getting
01:23the official nod, was an emotional rollercoaster.
01:26He and his wife were going crazy.
01:28And it's a moment he'll never forget.
01:30Jones is one of just four American-born players on the Korea roster.
01:35He'll stay with the Tigers through late February.
01:37Then fly to Japan for a couple of exhibition games, before pool play begins.
01:43Korea opens against Czechia, on March 5th at the Tokyo Dome.
01:47Their pool also includes host Japan, Australia, and Chinese Taipei.
01:52And here's a fun detail.
01:53On that Chinese Taipei roster is Tigers infield prospect Hao Yu Li,
01:58who happens to have a locker just a few spots away from Jones in the Tigers clubhouse.
02:02Lee usually does interviews with an interpreter, but when it comes to trash talk between these two, it's all in
02:08clear English.
02:09Jones laughed about it, saying Lee is far from quiet.
02:12If he wants to talk trash, he's really good at it.
02:15They joke around every day, both excited about the possibility of facing each other.
02:20Jones even told him that if they meet in center field, he'll give him a hug.
02:23But once the game starts, no favors.
02:26They're there to win.
02:28After the Classic, it's back to being Tigers teammates.
02:31And for Jones, it's back to the role that made him a clutch performer in Detroit last summer.
02:36He says it feels a lot like last year.
02:38He's still battling, still trying to put together a strong camp, but there's one big difference.
02:43He doesn't feel like a stranger in the locker room anymore.
02:46Coming into a familiar environment makes everything better, even if the job remains the same.
02:51Work hard, do what he needs to do, and help the team.
02:54So, Tigers fans, what do you think?
02:56Are you excited to see Jamai Jones take on the world stage with Team Korea, and maybe
03:01even face off against a fellow Tiger in Haoyu Lee?
03:04And how do you think his experience in the Classic will carry over into the regular season?
03:08Let us know your thoughts.
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