The Miami Hurricanes’ Shane Larkin, the 2013 ACC Player of the Year, doesn’t hesitate to admit that his maturity in the heat of intense competition is something he couldn’t help but inherit from his father, Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin.

The World Baseball Classic lived up to its billing in 2013. The only problem? It won’t come around again until 2017.

Jose Reyes set the tone for the Dominican Republic with a leadoff double in the championship game against Puerto Rico, and his countrymen followed his lead in a 3-0 victory.

The Dominican Republic entered the World Baseball Classic with a star-studded roster of Major League standouts and finished as champions, defeating Puerto Rico, 3-0, in a soggy championship final at AT&T Park.

Catcher Mike Zunino, the Mariners’ first-round Draft choice last June, was among three players cut from the Major League camp Tuesday night.

Robinson Cano displayed all of his talents in the World Baseball Classic, crushing baseballs and making defensive gems look effortless, and he earned Most Valuable Player honors for his steady excellence through the Dominican Republic’s unbeaten run to the championship.

When Puerto Rico’s World Baseball Classic ride ended Tuesday night at AT&T Park — Angel Pagan’s home field — there weren’t feelings of regret or disappointment because the center fielder was able to visualize the sights of his nation.

He isn’t as recognizable as some of his Dominican teammates, but Samuel Deduno certainly made his presence known at the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Giants lefty Barry Zito sharpened up for his 14th season in the Majors by limiting the Mariners to two runs and five hits in five innings,lowering his ERA to 3.46 in a 6-3 loss at Peoria Stadium.

Dodgers infielder Hanley Ramirez exited the Dominican Republic’s 3-0 win in the World Baseball Classic championship game in the sixth inning on Tuesday night after jamming his right thumb earlier in the game.

The Giants have learned that their All-Star third baseman has not only an inflamed ulnar nerve in his right elbow, but also a bone spur in the back of his elbow that head athletic trainer Dave Groeschner described as “chronic.”

Albert Pujols finally returned to his comfort zone on Tuesday, debuting at first base after being relegated to designated hitter for most of Spring Training.

Roberto Clemente was well before Angel Pagan’s time, but there is a link to the legend that keeps the greatest of all Puerto Rican ballplayers in the thoughts of the Giants’ center fielder and leadoff man for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.

Moises Alou, only five years removed from his last game as a Major Leaguer, either played with or against many of the players who comprised the Dominican Republic’s World Baseball Classic roster.

From the “only in Spring Training” department, the Angels and Brewers briefly played Tuesday without a home plate umpire after Seth Buckminster was injured in the top of the first inning.

John Danks’ outing went from bad to worse to downright dreadful on Tuesday afternoon, leaving little reason to believe the White Sox lefty will be in good enough form to crack the club’s Opening Day roster.

Third baseman Nolan Arenado has put on an impressive hitting display in Spring Training, and Colorado has a decision to make about what to do with the youngster when the season rolls around.