Trending Now - Team USA Honors Military Ties as WBC Final Approaches
WHO:
Pablo Cuerta, a Venezuelan-American fan who attended the game
Argenis Masiaf, a Miami resident and Venezuelan fan
Josh Rojas, a student from Utah who attended the game
Jaci Douglas, a medical student from Pennsylvania with Venezuelan in-laws
Venezuela national baseball team
United States national baseball team
Maikel Garcia, player for Venezuela
Salvador Perez, player for Venezuela
Wilyer Abreu, player for Venezuela
Bryce Harper, player for the United States
Eugenio Suárez, player for Venezuela
Javier Sonoja, pinch runner for Venezuela
Omar López, manager of Venezuela
Mark DeRosa, manager of the United States
Robert J O’Neill, former Navy Seal
Paul Skenes, pitcher for the United States
Griffin Jax, pitcher for the United States
Cal Raleigh, catcher for the United States
Pete Crow-Armstrong, outfielder for the United States
Nicolás Maduro, deposed leader of Venezuela
WHAT:
Venezuela won its first World Baseball Classic title by defeating the United States 3-2 on March 17th, 2026.
Maikel Garcia scored the first run for Venezuela with a sacrifice fly that brought in Salvador Perez in the top of the 3rd inning.
Wilyer Abreu hit a solo home run in the 5th inning for Venezuela.
Bryce Harper hit a game-tying 2-run home run for the United States in the bottom of the 8th inning.
Eugenio Suárez hit a double in the top of the 9th inning, scoring Javier Sonoja for the winning run.
Cuerta expressed pride in both Venezuela and the United States, stating, “I appreciate both countries, you know. One, I was born in Venezuela. And two, this one gave me everything I've got.”
Masiaf described the game as “beyond sport” and emphasized the significance of the moment for Venezuela, saying, “We have lived through many difficult things inside our country. This is the moment for Venezuela to accomplish something so special and memorable.”
Rojas stated, “It’s just awesome to see a whole country, a whole community come together to support this country through baseball.”
Douglas noted the event's importance, saying, “They're all here tonight and they told me that if I miss this, I'd regret it.”
Venezuela won its first World Baseball Classic title by defeating the United States 3-2.
Venezuela scored its first run with a sacrifice fly by Maikel Garcia in the top of the 3rd inning.
Wilyer Abreu hit a solo home run in the 5th inning for Venezuela.
Bryce Harper hit a game-tying 2-run home run for the United States in the bottom of the 8th inning.
Eugenio Suárez hit a double in the top of the 9th inning, scoring Javier Sonoja for the winning run.
WHERE:
The final was held at the Miami Marlins' ballpark in Miami, Florida.
WHEN:
The final took place on March 17th, 2026.
The U.S. faced Venezuela in the quarter-finals of the 2023 tournament, which the U.S. won 9-7.
WHY:
López acknowledged the significance of the title game for Venezuela, stating, “The whole country is going to be paralyzed to watch the game, and together we are going to have better generations for our country, united with no color, political colors or ideology.”
The victory is significant for Venezuela, a country of about 32 million people, as it represents a unifying moment amidst political turmoil.
Omar López stated that the game was an opportunity to unite the country through baseball.
HOW:
Team USA manager Mark DeRosa invited Robert J O’Neill to give a locker room speech, which received pushback due to his controversial remarks about voters in the 2024 presidential election.
The U.S. team honored military ties and motivations during the tournament, with players saluting each other and inviting military figures to speak.
The U.S. team invited Robert J O’Neill to give a locker room speech, which received pushback due to his controversial remarks about voters in the 2024 presidential election.
The Venezuelan team played all seven of their games in the World Baseball Classic at the Miami Marlins' ballpark.
The U.S. team honored military ties and motivations during the tournament, with players saluting each other and inviting military figures to speak.
(UPDATED March 18, 2026 19:23 UTC)
Venezuela celebrated a historic victory by winning its first World Baseball Classic title, defeating the United States 3-2 on March 17. Maikel Garcia kicked off the scoring for Venezuela with a sacrifice fly in the third inning, and Wilyer Abreu added a solo home run in the fifth, while Bryce Harper tied the game for the U.S. with a two-run homer in the eighth, but Eugenio Suárez sealed the win for Venezuela with a double in the ninth that brought in the winning run.
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(UPDATED March 18, 2026 09:13 UTC)
In a significant moment for Venezuelan pride, fans attending the game expressed their deep connections to both Venezuela and the United States. Pablo Cuerta highlighted his appreciation for both countries, while Argenis Masiaf emphasized the game's importance for Venezuela, calling it a chance for something "special and memorable." Meanwhile, the U.S. team faced controversy after inviting Robert J O’Neill to deliver a locker room speech, which stirred pushback due to his past remarks about voters in the 2024 presidential election.
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(UPDATED March 18, 2026 03:48 UTC)
In a thrilling final held at the Miami Marlins' ballpark on March 17, Venezuela clinched its first World Baseball Classic title by defeating the United States 3-2. Venezuela took the lead with a sacrifice fly from Maikel Garcia, followed by a solo home run from Wilyer Abreu, while Bryce Harper tied the game for the U.S. with a two-run homer in the eighth, but Eugenio Suárez ultimately secured the victory with a double that brought in the winning run in the ninth. This win is particularly significant for Venezuela, as manager Omar López emphasized the unifying power of baseball amidst the country's ongoing political turmoil.