We Sacrifice Everything to Baseball: How the Czech Republic's Amateur Underdogs Became World Baseball Classic Heroes

by Michael Clair

Despite long odds and low funds, the Czech Republic’s national baseball team of amateur players managed to shock the world at the 2023 World Baseball Classic—the sport’s World Cup—when they took an upset win against Spain in the WBC qualifiers and then defeated China in the actual tournament, securing their place in the upcoming 2026 tournament. While the rest of the teams in the WBC rely on experienced professionals, and some like Italy and Great Britain bring in American “passport” players, the Czech Republic’s roster consists almost entirely of amateur players who were born and have played only within the Central European nation. The team’s roster consists of firefighters, teachers, financial auditors, and field caretakers—even the manager is a neurologist!—and yet the team managed to not only compete on the international stage but succeed against global superstars like Shohei Ohtani.

In a world where athletes have become multi-million-dollar legends, We Sacrifice Everything to Baseball reveals how teamwork, sacrifice, and self-belief can still make a difference. Michael Clair, who spent time with the Czech team throughout the 2023 World Baseball Classic, has unparalleled insight on the team and their unlikely success.

Like the Jamaican bobsled team in Cool Runnings, Leicester City’s unexpected Premier League soccer title, and the United States’ remarkable victory against Russia in the 1980 Olympics, the Czech Republic baseball team has an underdog story everyone can cheer for. Their story proves it’s still possible to build a team from the ground up, with a small player pool, little attention, and a low budget, and compete on the world stage.

Genres: Baseball, Sports, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2026

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey! I wrote this! I hope you’ll dig it!

[Nico T · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic story that reminded me of playing in little league for the love of the game! A book for all baseball lovers

[Devin Gingerich · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like baseball you’ll like this book. Clair does a really solid job bringing the reader into the magic of what the Czechs have done with their national baseball program and gives great insight into how overall international baseball competition works and the sportsmanship of it! Highly recommend this book!

[Laura Bernheim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly fun and easy to follow story about a side of baseball for fans of the game. The description of games played is detailed enough to bring delight for baseball aficionados but not so detailed that it would be a turn off to a casual or non fan.
As a baseball fan/watcher, I admit to having been a bit agnostic when it comes to the World Baseball Classic, since its inception 20ish years ago, having seen it as just another payday for the MLB. However, this book has made me appreciate all of the non professional players who play in that tournament and to see a different side. (Some of the day jobs of the Czech players include medical doctor, electrician, and firefighter).
If you're like me and were charmed by the comraderies of the visiting fans and the lovely sportsmanship shown by most in the latest Soccer World Cup, I think you will enjoy the similar vibe from this book.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

We Sacrifice Everything to Baseball is so much more than a sports profile, though it is an exceptional one at that. But Michael Clair has written an ode to artistry, if I can call it that. A loving, intimate portrait of working class folk who find something that makes them happy, who give hope and excitement to people that didn’t even know the needed it, all without any promise of remuneration. The most personal is the most universal, as they say. I’m so glad I got to know the Czechs through Mike’s warm, hilarious, and insightful prose.

[Drew K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many books about sports are rushed, quickly written and published almost before the lights are turned off on the scoreboard. Not this one. Michael Clair did a great deal of research and presents a wonderful background of the history of Czech baseball leading up to the dream like 2023 WBC. It’s an engaging and emotional read.

[Kyle Bray · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can you not be romantic about baseball!!

[Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

The World Baseball Classic (WBC) brings together teams from across the globe every three years in March to showcase players playing for their countries and the pride that ones with it. Sometimes a country may not have many players in its country and take American players who have family lineage in that country. Many European countries have players like this - an example would be Team Italy in the 2026 WBC.

However, that was not the case for the team from the Czech Republic in 2023. Their roster was completely made up of amateur players save for one American player who joined later. The tales of these players, their coach, and how they overcame long odds to not only appear in the WBC, but also win a game in pool play, are told in this book by Michael Clair.

None of the native born players nor coaches make baseball their full time profession. They are strictly amateurs and make a living in professions like teaching and firefighting. Clair does a very good job of telling the story of several of these players - most notably, catcher Martin Cervenka and pitcher Martin Schneider. Schneider caught the eye of scouts for the Minnesota Twins and offered a contract but he turned them down to remain as a firefighter in his native land and also to keep pitching.
The team stuck together despite many heartbreaks on the field that kept them from advancing further in European baseball. And speaking of fields, the conditions of some of those diamonds were poor - just one aspect of the hurdles facing the team that Clair does a good job covering.

However, the best aspect of the is when Clair writes about the two biggest games in Czech baseball history. The first was the victory over Spain that put the Czech team in the 2023 tournament. It was especially notable since earlier in the qualifiers, Spain had a mercy-rule 21-7 victory over the Czechs. But that didn’t intimidate Schneider for the rematch and when the Czechs pulled off the 4-3 upset, Clair brings the reader right there with the team to celebrate.

If the team and reader felt that was a big moment, then their first game in the 2023 WBC, played in the Tokyo Dome, was even bigger. They defeated China in their first ever WBC game and even held a lead after 3 innings in their next game against Japan, the eventual champion of that tourney. Clair’s account of the highlight of the game was excellent. Struggling to get his fastball above 80 miles an hour, Czech pitcher Ondrej Satoria - an electrician by trade - struck out Shohei Ohtani, causing the superstar to lose his helmet. After the game, won by Japan 10-2, the respect by both sides was mutual and the Japanese fans cheered the Czechs just as warmly as did the 200 fellow citizens who made the trip.

Reading about this extraordinary team was a treat, even if they did not win another game. The win assured them a spot in the 2026 WBC, where they did not fare as well, losing all 4 games in pool play. Nonetheless, their story of their adventure to get to the 2023 tourney is one that would be enjoyed by any baseball fan.

I wish to thank University of Nebraska Press for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really interesting, fun read that recounts a feel good story without getting overly sentimental. Clair balances the high-level history of baseball in Czechoslovakia with deeper dives into the play-by-play action of the games that have mattered most to the national team over the last decade. He doesn’t get bogged down in either mode and instead easily bounces back and forth. Along the way, the reader meets a true ragtag baseball team full of players who you could easily imagine having a beer with or asking to help you with financial planning, electrical wiring, or your neurological health. I imagine this is also a great gateway book for learning more about baseball in Europe and all the ways the game is growing there.

[Joshua Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal read. Sports overuses “underdog” to describe teams that might seem disadvantaged but actually are just operating with some restrictions (often self-imposed) but well within the league/division/sport they find themselves.

But not the Czech Republic’s national baseball team. Part-times who all have careers outside of the sport whether neurologist, electrician or fire fighter these men all make the time to play baseball at the highest level. As covered by Michael Clair, these guys are not only endearing but impressive.

Follows them through the 2023 World Baseball Classic and although they don’t win it doesn’t matter because it’s inspiring and enjoyable.

[Daniel Shoptaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun ride through a classic underdog story. Not necessarily remembering how the WBC turned out helped, but even if you knew every detail of that tournament, you'd still be enthralled by this book. Getting to know these players that use their vacation time and weekends to play a sport hardly anyone is aware of and then to do it so well they are national heroes is a wonderful time spent. The Czech players seem like wonderful fellows and I'm glad their stories have been put down and shared with us!

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lowest lows and the highest highs that the game can bring, the ultimate underdogs, how the final result often isn't the point, and a story that is so much bigger than sports.

How can you not be romantic about baseball?

[doowopapocalypse · Rating 4 out of 5]

With rumors of another strike, deferred money conversations and the like, Clair offers several hours reading that reminds you of how baseball gets under your skin and stays there.

[Jkrahe · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is impossible not to love the Czech baseball team and culture after reading this well-researched and passionate book!

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of underdogs who love the game of baseball. Told very well by the author, I think you will dig it.

[Mattschratz · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can you not be romantic about baseball*?

*I used Google translate to look up how to say baseball in Czech, and it's "baseball," so so much for that joke.