Guide to the World Baseball Classic

[wOOgiE22]

This US offense with all the star power just slept walked through this tournament. 

[wallus]

Happy for Venezuela and it doesn't seem like anyone got hurt.

[Fear The Chorizo]

11 hours ago, wOOgiE22 said:

This US offense with all the star power just slept walked through this tournament. 

Im actually not that surprised - carribean/south American countries just coming off winter ball is a different animal for hitters and timing compared to Spring training mode ramping up for the regular season.

 

Kudos to Venezuela winning a very entertaining WBC, though.  

[Ro Mueller]

Eduardo Rodriguez (4.1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 Ks) stifled the American bats as Venezuela built a 2-0 lead by the 5th inning en route to a 3-2 victory in the WBC championship game.

Limited to just 3 hits, Team USA nonetheless rallied to tie the contest on Bryce Harper’s 2-run blast in the bottom of the 8th inning.

Despite the setback, Venezuela needed just 2 plate appearances to re-take the lead in the top of the 9th inning, with Eugenio Suarez doubling home Luis Arraez, who had walked.

Daniel Palencia then set down Kyle Schwarber, Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony in order to close out the win.

2B Brice Turang went 1-for-3 for the US, while CF Jackson Chourio had an 0-for-3 evening and LHP Angel Zerpa retired 2 of 3 batters (K, ground out, walk) for Venezuela. 

 

[Frisbee Slider]

12 hours ago, wOOgiE22 said:

This US offense with all the star power just slept walked through this tournament. 

This never would’ve happened if Team USA would’ve just ‘gone for it’ and acquired Eugenio Suarez last summer.

[owbc]

It warms my heart to see the contrast between the stoic and unlikeable USA vs. the fun and passionate Latin American teams (and fans).   

[Frisbee Slider]

32 minutes ago, owbc said:

It warms my heart to see the contrast between the stoic and unlikeable USA vs. the fun and passionate Latin American teams (and fans).   

We’ve become the Soviets from Rocky IV

[Ro Mueller]

 

[Ro Mueller]

 

[Ro Mueller]

 

[Ro Mueller]

 

[Ro Mueller]

 

[Ro Mueller]

Brice Turang made the All-Tournament Team: 

 

[Fear The Chorizo]

22 hours ago, owbc said:

It warms my heart to see the contrast between the stoic and unlikeable USA vs. the fun and passionate Latin American teams (and fans).   

I will start this too long post by stating I'm glad to have been proven wrong with how great an event the WBC has become.  When Bud first introduced this I didn't think it would gain any sort of sustained popularity, and it's turned into must-watch television rivaling the 4 nations hockey/olympics in terms of a sport showcasing most of its best on teams put together based on a mix of citizenship and cultures.

I think the best thing the WBC has done in this format is expose people in the United States to the passion for baseball in other countries - particularly across Latin America.  That energy/excitement for the game has rubbed off in the United States, just as many of the players and fans from these other countries have become dual citizens and are excited to be part of the American experience. No country can say that more than Venezuela, their people are having a fantastic 2026! 

And just because Team USA didn't have choreographed home run celebrations that carried all the way out onto the field like other countries did doesn't make them stoic/unlikeable unless people are looking under every rock to make that contrast.  Had team Japan made the final, I guess we'd all be upset about both teams being too stoic because cultures didn't include TikTok routines when something good happened for either team.  Reality is that every single one of MLB's teams will have some goofy dugout celebration every time someone hits a HR on Opening Day in a couple weeks - in every MLB stadium throughout this country....and what's best is that will include players from all over the world on the same team celebrating together over the course of 162 games and not just a 2.5 week preseason tournament whose initial goal is to grow the game internationally.  

I also see Bryce Harper getting dragged over the coals by the same people pining for US players to be more likeable/passionate for their country, for pointing to the US flag on his jersey while rounding the bases after tying the game up in the 8th with a home run.  Meanwhile Team Italy, who are entirely American born citizens, are given props for taking stereotyping espresso shots and kissing cheek to cheek like they were taken to the stadium in a Venice gondola.  Team Venezuela were draped in their colors throughout showing their national pride, and rightfully so - it's no secret and unfortunate that when Americans do it, way too many people are offended.

I think Derek Jeter said it best, when asked if the WBC is now a bigger event than the MLB World Series - at least from an American's perspective:

“I think the people that say [the WBC] is bigger than the World Series, never played in a World Series.”

[kalle8]

In Italy WBC bought some excitement, the wins vs USA and Puertorico were event in the evening news. My friends started text me about baseball (even greater surprise). For my part, I didn't pay any attention (exept for for Andrew Fischer at bats), last edition I followed a bit more (but even in that case it was for Frelick playing for Italy). I get that (and why) WBC is great but I just don't feel its vibes. Happy to see I am the minority though.

[igor67]

Doing it during Spring Training helps a ton because the contrast with pure exhibition games brings out more energy and interest.

[RobertCrawley]

People elsewhere do sports differently. South American football is crazy also, and so maybe this is just how they do sports. Americans are certainly capable of that kind of rowdiness, as anyone knows who's gone to a Packer game.

For a long time, American baseball was played with a general idea that there's a "right way" to play the game: you don't celebrate too much, don't stare at your home runs, don't show up other players, etc. If you do, you're gonna get plunked.

That's changed a lot and I'm happy for it. It's good to see professional ball players show their passion for the game. I can't remember a game last year when I thought the celebrations were excessive.