Team Israel is heading to the A Pool of the European Championships in Bonn, Germany in early September, on the road to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Finishing in the top 5 in the tournament will take Team Israel straight through to the Olympics qualifiers in Italy.

Let's hear from team member Blake Gailen, who played for Team Israel in the WBC qualifiers and tournament in 2016 and 2017, and was MVP of the B Pool when Israel won in July this year.

Bio

• Age: 34
• Height:5’8”/1.76m
• Weight: 175lb/79kg
• Position: OF
• Throws/bats: L/L
• Current Team: OKC Dodgers

A brief history

Just finished 13th year professionally (2007-2019).
Have been in independent ball as well as MLB organizations (Angels, Rockies, Blue Jays, Dodgers).

Your standout moment as a player for Team Israel

Playing the WBC in Japan against Japan in 2017 was the best moment as a player in my career. I’d never seen a better atmosphere.

Your baseball mantra

Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do something. You only can’t if you don’t try.

What you are most looking forward to in Germany

Looking most forward to the playoff atmosphere that these tournaments bring.

You’re a fan of…

All LA teams (Dodgers, Lakers, Kings). I love the NFL but don’t have a team.

Superstitions

There is a very fine line between superstition and committing to a routine. My entire career walks the line of that border.