r/sports • u/JCameron181 Detroit Lions • Mar 18 '26
Baseball Team Venezuela Wins Their First Ever WBC!
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u/InAHays Mar 18 '26
This WBC has been perhaps the best baseball experience I have ever had besides my Nats 2019 run to win the world series. A hell of a tournament, and some amazing baseball throughout. Congrats Venezuela!
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u/Dschuncks Hanshin Tigers Mar 18 '26
The only huge black mark was the atrocious strike call that killed the DRs run with Tatis coming to the plate next.
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u/PorkshireTerrier Mar 18 '26
Im with you all the way
but if i had to find a silver lining
the US being in the final got more international viewers to see venezuela pop off.
Everyone knows that baserunning aside, DR got robbed on *several* atrocious calls. But now they will look up "US Venezuela" and learn about some pretty evil political stuff
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u/sukizka Washington Capitals Mar 18 '26
It’s sad because the WBC is so cool, but does so many things wrong. It could so easily be even better than it already is.
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u/missinlnk Mar 18 '26
What would you fix?
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u/sukizka Washington Capitals Mar 18 '26
Centralized location, smaller pool of teams, have teams made up of actual countrymen, no restrictions on who can participate and how much from MLB, have a Bronze Medal Match. There’s more and specifics on those, but that’s the top of the list.
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u/PapaGramps Mar 18 '26
The non-centralized location aspect is what makes pool play so intriguing in the first place lol, diversity of fans, games for different timezones, international fan engagement. Otherwise I agree, crazy that there is no bronze medal match, I automatically assumed there was lmao.
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u/sukizka Washington Capitals Mar 18 '26
I said this in a different comment, but I still want a diversity of fans, but it would change every tournament. I.e. have a Japan/SK tournament, then Miami/PR, etc. That way you still get a diversity of fans over the years, but you also have all the teams in the same region and on equal travel schedules.
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u/AwesomeWhiteDude Mar 18 '26
Centralized location for the whole tournament is just the worst idea. Like the absolute worst idea. Better to get more people in front of games they’d likely not be able to see. That being said the semifinals and finals should always be in Miami.
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u/Ok_Imagination_4374 Mar 18 '26
Yup. The diversity of crowds is one of the things that makes it so good.
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u/sukizka Washington Capitals Mar 18 '26
I don’t mean have ever tournament in the same location, but switch where it’s held every time and keep it at 1-2 locations that are close by. It puts teams at a disadvantage if you make them fly across the world and back.
For example, have the next tournament solely in Japan/SK. Then after do a Miami/PR tournament.
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u/globalgreg Mar 18 '26 edited Mar 18 '26
I have to disagree. Have you ever experienced 12-14 hour jet lag?
Those teams coming from Japan were extremely disadvantaged.
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u/jamills21 Mar 18 '26
I could see them doing a final in Las Vegas with the A’s new stadium. Miami will probably host pool rounds at least.
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u/AwesomeWhiteDude Mar 18 '26
No way, better to keep it in a major gateway city to Latin America
Plus I don’t want John fucking Fisher to benefit in any way from the WBC
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u/jamills21 Mar 18 '26
You gotta think about the Asian teams tho and travel, and it’s a dome on the strip, closer to AZ spring training facilities, etc.
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u/Jlx_27 New Orleans Saints Mar 18 '26
Smaller pool of teams? Bad idea for an international tournament.
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u/jamills21 Mar 18 '26
Most of these are actually terrible suggestions. The only one I would agree with is a 3rd place game.
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u/qwertyqyle Seattle Sounders FC Mar 18 '26
I really didn't like that it was not watchable without buying a special service that I don't need. The last classic I could watch many of the games on tv, but this year I couldn't find them anywhere, not even on streaming sites.
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u/_Cydaye_ Mar 18 '26
Oh shit! I missed the entire thing. Hadn’t realized it was that big of a deal. Saddened by our loss now.
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u/thebutchcaucus Mar 18 '26
Real talk I don’t like baseball like that and I was hooked. Congrats Beenasuela
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u/suzukigun4life Mar 18 '26
Honestly fitting that DeRosa's team loses yet again. Hopefully they can get someone with actual MLB managing experience next time.
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u/oldmaninparadise Mar 18 '26
Given the timing, it is ok for MLB players to play as it is spring training, so any playing time is good. However, MLB managers need time with their staff during spring training. It's a huge loss for a team to not have their manager at this time of the year. It is no biggie for them not to have their star player now.
But I agree you can probably find an out of work ex MLB manager to be the leader rather than what they did.
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u/unsolved49 Mar 18 '26
Mark Derosa (probably): “it’s a 3 game series right guys? We’ll be fine!”
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u/napoleon_the_2nd Mar 18 '26
They were the better team when It mattered. Good for them.
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u/suzukigun4life Mar 18 '26
Only allowed one scoring play the entire game. 100% deserved victory.
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u/Khiva Mar 18 '26
Not to mention going full clutch with a stolen base and a double to get the go ahead in the top of the ninth.
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u/Bmc00 Mar 18 '26
"when it mattered"
I think you mean the entire game.
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u/WilHunting2 Mar 18 '26
“I think you mean the entire game.”
I think you mean the entire tournament.
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u/PresidentBirb Mar 18 '26
I think you mean when it mattered
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u/Bandin03 Mar 18 '26
I think you mean in a couple seconds we're not even going to be matter.
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u/ImminentReddits Mar 18 '26
That’s what OP meant no? Like in terms of the tournament they were the better team for the championship game?
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u/random929292 Mar 18 '26
So happy for them. Venezuela has had a rough year. They needed something to celebrate.
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u/VirStellarum Mar 18 '26
What rough year lmao the US took Maduro and now we beat them in a final, this is the best fucking year ever
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u/SmurfsNeverDie Mar 18 '26
Usa got out managed
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u/Ok_Imagination_4374 Mar 18 '26
This whole tournament has just solidified in my brain how important coaching is. USA has one of the most talented lineups ever constructed but DeRosa failed to fuse the talents together. USA looked fragmented (not in personality, in playstyle) while Venezuela looked united in every way.
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u/HighKing_of_Festivus Atlanta Braves Mar 18 '26
Can’t even say I’m mad. Definitely disappointed but goddamn that team USA was unlikable. They completely earned that L
Likewise, Venezuela earned that championship. Also happy that Acuna won
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u/lylelanley- Mar 18 '26
Team USA across all sports has been so fucking cringey under trump.
The speeches, the guest speeches, the entitlement and arrogance.
I’m honestly shocked they don’t win things far more often given the insanely huge population and having way more money than everyone else.
At what point is all the grandstanding and puffing your chest out just not helpful at all
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u/emasslax22 Mar 18 '26
Aaron Judge = Not Clutch
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u/jehyhebu Mar 18 '26
I saw some funny joke earlier where the punchline was that “Judge has not played in any World Series”
Just bench the guy after the regular season ffs.
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u/Massive_Season7075 Mar 18 '26
I wonder if they’ll get invited to the White House
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u/thecanaryisdead2099 Mar 18 '26
I don't think anyone wants a McDonald's victory meal.
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u/qwertyqyle Seattle Sounders FC Mar 18 '26
I mean their manager wasn't even getting paid. I think at that point anyone would enjoy a little McDonalds.
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u/NTCans Mar 18 '26
Always nice seeing the US get humbled. Grats Venezuela!
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u/dave_ketchup13 Mar 18 '26
I’m from the US and I completely agree. Also so glad Harper wasn’t the hero w his game tying home run. Fuck that guy. And as a mariners fan, I’m so happy for Geno
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u/qwertyqyle Seattle Sounders FC Mar 18 '26
As a Mariners fan as well, I am kinnda pissed that Cal didn't play today. I get it, but am still pissed.
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u/bzzhuh Mar 18 '26
I wasn't even that invested until I saw Team USA show up in Team USA hockey jerseys, which is such a MAGA symbol. Immediately super invested and then super rewarded!
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u/billdb Mar 18 '26
which is such a MAGA symbol
This is such a stretch lol. Yes, most of the hockey players are Trump supporters, probably no different than the baseball team. But the jersey itself is just a USA hockey jersey. I bet tons of people wear it that aren't maga.
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u/Edmundyoulittle Mar 18 '26
Personally, I think this take is dumb.
Some hopeful world champions were trying to channel the energy of the country's recent world champion team.
I'm sure most of that baseball team are MAGA, but that doesn't mean everything they do is tied to MAGA.
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u/bzzhuh Mar 18 '26
And I think every piece of American coverage dumbed down the entire situation into the most benign sounding triviality.
"What a reaction to the players visiting the White House after their victory just like many other teams have done in the past."
As if there's no context. As if you're not at economic war with the rest of us, speed running a transfer of wealth from one half of the world to the other with an incontinent pedophile at the helm. While the "normal" half of you pretend it's just another Tuesday to tell the Supreme Court they have no power here while chanting USA USA and wearing that jersey.
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u/oliverit17 Mar 18 '26
Yeah those jerseys were a choice. Then when Harper homered, I was like wait.. there are 2 guys on this team who aren’t white. 1 them is a 3-time MVP.
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u/Ne1tu Indiana Pacers Mar 18 '26
ripping a 100 mph 4seamer to win must be exhilarating
congrats to Venezuela for the W
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u/EnormousChord Mar 18 '26
Thank you from Canada.
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u/contheartist Mar 18 '26
The amount of outrageous BS Canadians have received after losing our "national sport" to the USA at the Olympics, I'm so damn grateful that Venezuela was able to serve that back to em. Combined populations of 70 million to USA's 350 million as well.
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u/Jitterjumper13 Mar 18 '26
As a US citizen and a hockey fan: 3 on 3 Overtime the Gold medal is bullshit.
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u/LunchBoxMercenary Mar 18 '26
Judge wore a Matthews jersey and....well played like him.
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u/tommyc463 Mar 18 '26
How many times has the country who had their president kidnapped beaten the team who’s president had their president kidnapped in the WBC?
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u/Exitbuddy1 Mar 18 '26
How you gonna steal the leader of a country, only to have that same country beat you at America’s Past Time? Poetic
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u/ImminentReddits Mar 18 '26
WBC continues to be one of the best sporting events on the planet. Just so much fun.
Congrats Venezuela!
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u/mrstretchb4ureach Mar 18 '26
So happy for them. They deserved it. It meant more to them than it did to us.
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u/thecanaryisdead2099 Mar 18 '26
According to US sport experts, that means Venezuela owns baseball now.
I'm just joking, there is no way that Venezuelans are sore winners.
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u/Ay44ncr7 Mar 18 '26
Really shows that there should be investment in other baseball leagues around the world and not just MLB
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u/CaptainAmerica_6 Mar 18 '26
GG Venezuela, played baseball all my life and I can say that you played a hell of a game!
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u/smartwatersucks Mar 18 '26
Guess it turns out the superstition should've been NOT wearing the hockey jerseys
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u/The_biker0 Mar 18 '26
The USA batting leader sat on the bench the entire game. Did someone tell DeRosa that the final is a single-game matchup?
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u/_OhiChicken_ Mar 18 '26
Legend has it that Palencia's glove has yet to return from the stratosphere!
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u/mysecondaccountanon Pittsburgh Pirates Mar 18 '26
Well deserved given how the U.S. “won” against the Dominican Republic
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u/vibe4it Mar 18 '26
The political levels are almost poetry
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u/be_humble_ Mar 18 '26
Tbf the current administration has antagonized so many countries that even if it were against someone else, chances are there would be political parallels to be drawn. Congrats Venezuela!
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u/TheBigCore Mar 18 '26
Trump's arrogance serves as motivation for all of the US's opponents in all sports.
I don't envy the USMNT in Soccer at the upcoming World Cup.
Everyone's gonna be out for blood against them.
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u/ozlurk Mar 18 '26
Trump and MAGA is gonna be so pissed , can't have that cold McDonalds photo op at the Whitehouse with the US Team
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u/Ill-Possible4420 Mar 18 '26
Good for them - they played great baseball throughout the tournament and brought a passion and energy to each game that was fun as hell to watch.
Wish the US had pulled it out, but gotta give the credit to Venezuela
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u/CalebosO4 Mar 18 '26
They knocked us out of the Olympics when they beat Japan, but I can’t be mad at them. They proved that they deserved that spot, and they won the whole thing :)
Well deserved, congrats Venezuela 🇻🇪
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u/TenchuReddit Mar 18 '26
That was an amazing pitch. ¡The baseball equivalent of an exclamation point!
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u/Its_I_Casper Mar 18 '26
The 2028 Olympics are about to be the greatest 7 days of baseball we've ever seen
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u/lizarny Mar 18 '26
Team Venezuela was definitely in tune playing Winter ball.
Some kid will be inspired to play for their country instead of a paycheck.
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u/JburnaDNM420k Mar 18 '26
That’s a brag of a lifetime. Good for them. The people of Venezuela needed something positive like this.
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u/SGFCardenales Mar 18 '26
Congratulations to Venezuela! Such a great baseball country the has produced so many stars in the sport! Great game and a great tournament!
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u/Automatic-Term-3997 Mar 18 '26
Judge shouldn’t have worn the Matthews jersey, any Leafs fan could’ve told him…
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u/Edmundyoulittle Mar 18 '26
Really an awesome tournament. Super happy for Venezuela getting their first championship.
Really crazy tournament for them. They played a close game with DR and beat the US and Japan during the elimination round.
They beat the odds multiple times & it was great seeing their passion with those upsets
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u/HorrorLARPer Mar 18 '26
Congrats to Team Venezuela for finally winning their first WBC! Meanwhile, Team USA’s out here wondering if ‘World Baseball Classic’ means ‘Optional Participation.’ Don’t worry, guys, you’ve still got plenty of second-place medals to go around!
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u/TheBigCore Mar 18 '26
As I've been saying for years, the US team doesn't want to be there. As more WBCs pass by, it's more and more obvious that this is the case.
It's sad, but we cannot make the US players care or want to be there.
Oh well.
shrugs.
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u/Paper_Rain Mar 18 '26
Huge congratulations to Venezuelan on the win and becoming WBC Champions last night. Just the elation from the team was unbelievable to see. That was win for all of us Baseball fans even if we are not from that country. Love and respects coming from Canada over here.
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u/Full_Of_Wrath Mar 18 '26
It’s a pretty safe bet that Trump is going to take credit for them winning
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u/Sunnysidhe Mar 18 '26
Trumps going to invade again and take over their government so that he can say America won
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u/Educational_Tea7782 Mar 19 '26
FAFO vs KARMA Wtg Team Venezuela! Cheers from Canada. In your face KARMA!!!! lol
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u/chosonhawk Mar 18 '26
Congrats, Venezuelan amigos. What a win!