The World Baseball Classic: Highlights and Key Moments
The World Baseball Classic has concluded, with Venezuela emerging as the new champions. As we reflect on the tournament, certain moments will be particularly memorable. For instance, Adam Jones’ stellar catch in 2017 and Shohei Ohtani’s strikeout of Mike Trout in 2023 come to mind. What will stand out from the 2026 edition?
1. Venezuela Danced Their Way to Victory
Venezuela showcased their cultural pride by gathering in the dugout before every game, where reliever Eduard Bazardo would play “el tambor,” a special drum. The team would form a circle and dance, embodying their Venezuelan spirit. Manager Omar López emphasized this celebration of culture, contrasting it with the varied pre-game rituals found in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. While many expected the title to go to the Dominican Republic, the U.S., or Japan, it was Venezuela that captured the championship, celebrating with the infectious music of the band Tambor Urbano in Miami.
2. Italy’s Unexpected Journey
Italy, composed mostly of Italian-Americans, stunned everyone by defeating the United States, clinching the Houston pool, and reaching the semifinals for the first time in their history. Embracing their Italian heritage, players celebrated with espresso after home runs. Manager Francisco Cervelli noted that coffee symbolizes connection, making socializing integral to their journey. Even though they didn’t win the tournament, their performance ignited interest in baseball back in Italy.
3. The Phenomenon of Shohei Ohtani
Despite Japan’s exit in the quarterfinals, Shohei Ohtani continued to dominate headlines. He began the tournament with a double and then hit a grand slam. Though he primarily served as a designated hitter, speculation surrounded his potential pitching appearances. Ohtani also took on a leadership role, fostering camaraderie by involving young players in team celebrations.
4. Team Korea’s Themed Celebrations
Korean baseball has a rich history, having captured Olympic gold in 2008 and having competitive showings in previous World Baseball Classics. This year, they embraced the theme of flying to Miami, spreading their arms like airplane wings for home run celebrations. Despite losing to the Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals, their journey beyond pool play since 2009 was viewed as a success.
5. Team USA’s Strong Lineup
Team USA entered the tournament with a formidable lineup, and this year’s pitching was notably robust with the inclusion of past Cy Young winners and emerging stars. Despite finishing as runners-up once again, pitchers like Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal earned spots on the all-tournament team, showcasing the strength of American pitching in international competition.
6. Czechia’s Ondřej Satoria Shines
Ondřej Satoria, a Czech pitcher and electrical engineer, made headlines by striking out Ohtani in 2023 and continued to impress in 2026. In his final game for the national team, he delivered 4 2/3 scoreless innings against Japan, proving that success is not solely about velocity but also about skillful pitch execution.
7. Rising Stars from Brazil
This year saw young talents shine, especially Joseph Contreras and Lucas Ramirez, sons of MLB legends. Contreras, only 17, made headlines by successively getting star players to ground into double plays. Meanwhile, Ramirez’s performance solidified Brazil’s status in the tournament, marking a historic moment for the nation.
