Gagne: Team Canada is 'a bunch of misfits, beer drinkers, and fighters'

Quite the compliment, eh?

Ahead of the World Baseball Classic, former major-league reliever and member of Team Canada, Eric Gagne, described his teammates in a rather odd and unusual way.

"We're like a bunch of misfits, beer drinkers, and fighters,'' Gagne said, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. "We've got some good pitchers, some good young guys, and some old guys that retired and just want to play. Maybe we'll go out and shock the world."

The 41-year-old's optimism is admirable considering Canada will be without several key contributors, including position players Joey Votto, Michael Saunders, and Russell Martin along with starters Jameson Taillon and James Paxton.

Additionally, bullpen mainstay John Axford recently dropped out due to personal and professional reasons.

The bunch of "misfits" - including 39-year-old former major-league pitcher Ryan Dempster - will have to do a lot to move on in the tournament as they enter the WBC in Pool C, which includes power houses Dominican Republic and the United States.