Bazzana aiming for spot in US baseball’s hall of fame

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Bazzana aiming for spot in US baseball’s hall of fame

Having made *********** sporting history at the start of his professional baseball career, Travis Bazzana wants to eventually end it the same way.

The 21-year-old from Sydney has confirmed his lofty long-term goal is to be elected to baseball’s hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York.

He would be the first *********** inducted into Cooperstown, joining such sporting icons as ***** Ruth, Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio.

It is as far removed as possible from most AFL draftees, who usually only dare say publicly that they aim to make their senior debuts.

On Monday, Bazzana became the first *********** to be the No.1 selection in the Major League Baseball draft. Indeed, the Cleveland Guardians recruit is the first player from this country picked in the first round.

We’re bananas for Bazzana.

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2B Travis Bazzana from Oregon State.#ForTheLand pic.

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.com/pptQXhMQoq— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) July 14, 2024

The Cleveland Guardians have their man.

While Bazzana was self-conscious when asked to discuss Cooperstown, he did not shy away from the question.

“I’m not going to set limits on myself. I’m not going to sit here and be like ‘yeah, I want to go play in the big leagues for four years or five years’ … it’s more than that,” he told reporters shortly after he was drafted.

“I’d love to make an impact … be in a winning organisation.

“If I can continue to get better, I’m going to have a great chance to play the game for a long time and hopefully end up somewhere like that (the hall of fame).”

Being prepared to discuss baseball’s pantheon reflects Bazzana’s determination to pursue grand ambitions.

“The hall is one of those things, those goals are so long-term,” he said.

“I don’t take them out of the picture – it’s something I sometimes think about.

“Really, it’s just about continuing to hone my process and get better every day.

“I don’t think it’s one of those things that I just leave as a dream – I want to go out and pursue great things like that.”

Similarly, the power-hitting infielder is keen to set an example for the next generation of *********** baseballers.

“Don’t set limits on yourself, just see how far you can take it, continue to progress and enjoy the journey. Get better each day,” Bazzana said.

“Being the No.1 pick, it tells that story … it sets the precedent of believe in yourself, figure out how to go be great if you want to be great, in baseball or anything.”

The Oregon State University second base will now go into the Guardians’ minor league system.

While it would appear only a matter of time before he reaches their major league roster, there are no guarantees.

He could also return to the *********** Baseball League this summer as a massive drawcard for the domestic competition, but that will depend on the Guardians.

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#Bazzana #aiming #spot #baseballs #hall #fame

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