Mar 18, 2026
3 min read
The World Baseball Classic is now over, with Venezuela the last team to become the newest champion.But when the confetti clears and we look back at the tournament, what moments will stand out?In 2017, Adam Jones comes to mind first.The 2023 edition was seen
The World Baseball Classic is over, and Venezuela is the last team left as the newest champion. But when the confetti fades and you look back on the tournament, what moments will stand out?The first thing that comes to mind in 2017 is Adam Jones' jump shot. In the 2023 edition, Shohei Ohtani's hit on Mike Trout was etched in our memory.
So what will be the games, moments and stories we remember from 2026?Here are my nine.
2026 World Baseball Classic
Finale presented by Capital One
• Champions!Venezuela defeated the USA in the final
• Box Score: Venezuela 3, United States 2
• Maikel Garcia named Classic MVP
• '26 Classic All-Tournoi Team
• Final bracket, full results
• Complete management
1. Venezuela danced tambourines to the tournament
Before each game, Venezuela gathers in its dugout and reliever Eduardo Bajardo pulls out a special kind of drum called "El Tambor."As they play, the team jumps and dances in a circle to show their Venezuelan pride.
"What you see there is our country. That's it. Winter ball. That's how we enjoy our baseball. We understand that everyone has a different culture. You go to Puerto Rico, they have a different way. La Plena in Puerto Rico, it's amazing. It's the same, but it's a different kind of music. In Dominican, it's Riw piaangue, Bawheretangue, Bawheretangue. Many ways before the game they release and express who they are and who we are."
Many thought that the Dominican Republic, the United States or Japan would walk away from the championship - all three countries had already won World Baseball Classic titles.Instead, it was Venezuela, who hadn't reached the semifinals since 2009, who won it all.After receiving the trophy, what else was played on the pitch at Londepot Park in Miami?The famous Venezuelan team, Tambor Urbano, yes.
2. Espresso baseball
Team Italy, a team composed primarily of Italian-Americans, shocked many by upsetting the United States, winning the Houston Pool, and advancing to the WBC semifinals for the first time in team history.It also became a fan favorite as players embraced their roots, celebrated their ties to Italy, and marked every home with a cup of espresso in the dugout.
"Italy is all about coffee," said manager Francisco Cervelli."Coffee is not about being energetic. It's a way of life, it's about socializing. Talking to guys, drinking coffee and talking to other people."
They may not have won it all, but the achievement would have an impact on the future development of the sport in Italy.Newspapers reported on the team's success, members of the government talked about baseball, and the tournament was watched by millions of viewers.
"To the kids in Italy, just know that we're doing this for you," said team captain Vinny Pasquantino.
3. Shohei Ohtani - Siyempre
Japan may be eliminated in the quarterfinals, not reaching the semifinals for the first time in the history of the competition.But of course, Shohei Ohtani, the most talented player to ever play the game, is one of the biggest stories.
He hit a first-pitch double in the first set of the tournament. In his next at-bat, he hit a grand slam. While he's "just" DHing during the game, his off-season preparation for the Dodgers' regular season means there are constant rumors and questions from Japanese samurai fans who want to see him walk off the mound like he did against the Americans in 2023.in the championship.
He also proved that he can be counted on as a leader in the clubhouse.Wanting to make sure Samurai Japan's young players feel included in the club, he tasked new coach Koki Kitayama with designing the home team's celebration.It was the famous hit-the-run celebration they used as their teammates grabbed third base.
4. The Korean team flew to Miami
Korean baseball dominated baseball in the beginning.They won gold at the 2008 Summer Olympics and lost in extra innings to Japan at the 2009 World Baseball Classic.With a mix of KBO stars, Korean players, and players of Korean heritage born in the United States, they came up with the idea to board a charter flight from the Tokyo pool.In the home run, the team will spread their hands like the wings of an airplane and then celebrate with the gold "M" for Miami back in the dugout.
It worked: Although the team lost to the Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals, many of the team's supporters considered the first trip to the pool play since '09 a success.
Former basketball player Hyun-Jin Ryu, who helped lead the team to the gold medal in 2008, also returns to the team for the first time since the WBC category in 2009. After challenging D.R.in the quarterfinals, the man known as "The Monster" announced his retirement.
5. Team USA will bring their weapons
Team USA has always been able to field a diverse lineup — though this year's juggernaut might be the best one through nine.But the criticism has always been that American pitchers don't fit.
That changed this year: American and National League Cy Young Award winners Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes signed, while Giants ace and NL 2025 leadoff hitter Logan Webb and Mets youngster Nolan McLean rounded out the rotation.It worked: Webb gave up just one run in 8 2/3 innings, looking impressive against Canada in the quarterfinals.Paul Skenes lived up to his bill, tying the record.Dominican Republic line-up record, and McLean's stuff looked impressive in the tournament against Venezuela.
Although the United States won again, Skeens and Webb were named in all games.
6. The electrical engineer strikes again
Czechia starter Ondřej Satoria became a celebrity in 2023, striking out Shohei Ohtani and becoming a viral sensation. He had an even better encore in 2026. After pitching 3 2/3 scoreless innings against Australia, the electrical engineer from Ostrava was given the start against Japan in the Tokyo pool’s final game. Despite a fastball that struggles to reach 80 mph, Satoria dominated. Relying on his changeup, which he calls “the worker” and a curveball that he compares to casting a reel while fishing, Satoria shut down the defending champions for 4 2/3 innings in his final start for the national team.
He received a standing ovation when he left the mound, and his work reminded us that pitching isn't just about speed.Sometimes it's about order on the pitch, positioning and having the courage to give your all against a team of professional stars.
Storia has now retired from the national team, but he has not given up: He will continue to work for the electricity company ČEZ Group and spend his weekends with Arrows Ostrava in the Extraliga.
7. Brazilian youth celebrities
While Satoria may have retired from the game, two famous sons starred for Brazil in this year's Classic.First there was Joseph Contreras, son of former White Sox World Series winner Jose Contreras.At just 17 years old and committed to Vanderbilt – the youngest player in this year's tournament – he even got Aaron Judge to play a 5-4-3 double play with the bases loaded.
"Impressive," the referee said after the game."I know I didn't do that at that age. Just great stuff. I know he was poised on the mound. He's hitting 100 miles an hour. He's going up against Team USA, a lot of guys he's seen on TV.
“It was just impressive, impressive just seeing him control himself out there and get out of a big jam. And he had some good stuff.”
He was not the only young man who stood out: Manny Ramirez's son Lucas - who helped Brazil win the tournament with a strong performance in Tucson qualifying - broke home twice against the US.
8. Tugboat Wilkinson's amazing hidden ball
Satoria wasn't the only player without elite speed to stand out.Enter Canada's Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson.Although his fastball is in the low 90s, his impressive deception led to his fastball being called the "invisible ball."It worked well enough for Canada to play Wilkinson against the USA in the quarterfinals while trailing by two late in the game.
A tug came through and knocked out Cal Raleigh and Bryce Harper.Although Canada lost the game, it was the team's best performance in World Baseball Classic history and marked the first time the nation had advanced beyond the group stage.
9. Dominican Republic home run record
DR may not have won his second World Baseball Classic title, but he may have assembled one of the scariest lineups in World Baseball Classic history.The top eight hitters on the list all received MVP votes.Facing the unstoppable power of Paul Skeens, the Dominican Republic crushed its opponents, setting a World Baseball Classic record with 15 home runs.
Each was celebrated with an incredible celebration, a pure baseball festival.Bats were thrown high in the air, players flew over the bases (slightly) with joy, and the dugouts erupted with excitement.
“So we have guys who are very emotional, because they play for their country and they have fun, they see the crowd and everything,” Juan Soto said.“I think it takes everything away from you.”
