Venezuela defeated the United States 3-2 in the final of the 2026 World Baseball Classic on Tuesday, March 17, at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, securing the country's first title in the tournament's history since its inception in 2006.[1][2]
The United States, managed by Mark DeRosa, earned silver medals presented by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. Several players, including Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller in his WBC debut, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber -- a member of the 2023 runner-up team -- San Francisco Giants starter Logan Webb, and Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Whitlock, were photographed removing their medals shortly after the ceremony.[3][4]
Eduardo Rodriguez, a 33-year-old left-hander for the Arizona Diamondbacks, started for Venezuela and pitched 4 1/3 innings, working the edges of the strike zone effectively. Team USA was scoreless until the eighth inning, when Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper hit a two-out, two-run home run to tie the score at 2-2.[3][4]
In the top of the ninth, U.S. reliever Garrett Whitlock walked the leadoff batter, who was pinch-run for by Javier Sanoja. Sanoja stole second, and Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez followed with a go-ahead double to left-center off a changeup. Daniel Palencia then closed the bottom of the ninth for Venezuela with two strikeouts and a pop-up, including Kyle Schwarber and Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles.[3][4]
The victory ended a two-game World Baseball Classic final losing streak for the United States, which won the 2017 edition. Venezuela's previous best finish was third place in 2017.[2][5]
loanDepot park, home of the Miami Marlins, hosted the championship game as well as the 2023 final, won by Japan over the United States.[1][6]
Sources
- MLB.com; World Baseball Classic 2026 dates announced; May 9, 2024; https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-2026-dates-announced
- Wikipedia; World Baseball Classic; accessed October 2024; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Baseball_Classic
- Fox News; Several members of Team USA didn't appear to want anything to do with a second-place finish in the 2026 World Baseball Classic; March 18, 2026; https://www.foxnews.com/sports/team-usa-world-baseball-classic-silver-medals
- MLB.com; 2026 World Baseball Classic Final Boxscore; March 17, 2026; https://www.mlb.com/worldbaseballclassic/2026/matchcenter
- Baseball-Reference.com; World Baseball Classic; accessed October 2024; https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/World_Baseball_Classic
- MLB.com; loanDepot park; accessed October 2024; https://www.mlb.com/marlins/ballpark
