Dino Ebel returns to Dodgers third base coaches box after Team USA's memorable WBC run

Dino Ebel's plane from Miami landed at an airport in Arizona at about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon and the Barstow native rushed to Peoria Sports Complex.

The Barstow native, who graduated from Barstow High School in 1984, had no intention of missing the 6:40 p.m. spring training game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Seattle Mariners.

“Landed, went straight to the park, got the uniform on and here we are working on about three hours of sleep,” Ebel said to Kirsten Watson during a pregame interview on the SportsNet LA telecast. “There was no way I was going to miss this game tonight.”

Ebel had the chance of a lifetime, getting the invite to join Mark DeRosa’s coaching staff on Team USA for the World Baseball Classic. The coaching staff also included baseball legends Ken Griffey Jr., Dave Righetti and Andy Pettitte.

Ebel could be seen during Team USA’s eight WBC games in the third base coaching box relaying signs, waiving runners home, or those special handshakes with players rounding the bases after blasting home runs.

Well, Team USA lost in the championship game to Japan, what transpired in the top of the ninth inning is something Ebel and just about any baseball fan will remember for the rest of their lives.

Shohei Ohtani struck out his Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout to seal the deal on Japan’s 3-2 victory will be talked about for quite some time.

Ebel, who has been with the Dodgers since the 2019 season, joined the Angels coaching staff in 2006 and was the third base coach until 2014, when he became the bench coach. He was named the team’s third base coach again in 2018, which was his final with the organization and Ohtani’s first year with the club.

Standing in the third base coaches box, Ebel had one of the best views of what transpired between the two superstars which he used to shake hands with during that 2018 season.

Ohtani’s first pitch to his Angels teammate, a slider, missed low. He followed that up with a 100 mph fastball that Trout missed.

Strike one.

A fastball sailed out of the zone for another ball, and Trout then again whiffed on a fastball over the middle of the plate.

Strike two.

Ohtani hit 101 mph on the radar gun with his next fastball but missed low and outside.

Full count.

Unphased, Ohtani looked to the outfield, blew some air into his pitching hand, and took the sign.

He went back with the slider.

Swing and a miss.

Ohtani swung his hands open, and threw away his glove and hat while his teammates rushed the mound. He leaped in the air and then quickly turned and hugged catcher Yuhei Nakamura while jumping up and down.

Ebel had one of the best views of the action, standing off to the side in the third base coaches box.

“That’s something I will never forget in my lifetime,” Ebel said to Watson. “Wearing the uniform representing our country, just the electricity in the ballpark, us getting to the championship and witnessing that last out last night with Ohtani to Trout. … What a great experience that I wouldn't turn down if they asked me again.”

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Dino Ebel returns to Dodgers third base coaches box after WBC run