Welp, four more years until we get another crack at winning the World Baseball Classic.
Are we now a hockey country?!
In all seriousness, the WBC was awesome! I've been a fan of the concept since its installation in 2006, and every version has continued to improve.
This one was especially good, and I'm so ready for baseball season!
Before we get there, here are a few quick thoughts from the 2026 World Baseball Classic:
It's Fine As Is
I'm jumping right into this - keep the World Baseball Classic as is! It's especially frustrating to listen to those in the media, who are now discovering the beauty of the WBC, chime in with ways to "fix it," find "the right time for it," or to "improve the tournament".
Here is the truth - The WBC is fine!
Please don't have it replace the All-Star Game (one of the more ludicrous ideas being thrown out there). Keep it special by having it every four years and not watering it down with gimmicks and oversaturation like most special things in sports today.
Keep it in March. Keep it in Miami. Keep it where it is. Stop trying to change it. Just enjoy it!
(Still) The Best Baseball Environment
Everyone made a big deal out of Aaron Judge's comment.
Of course, American fans, as we always do, in response made baseball more religion than fun, expressed our strong opinions and rebuttals lined with a heavy dose of sacrilegious disbelief, and mixed with "get a load of this guy".
I still stand on the statement that my experience at the World Baseball Classic in 2017 still stands as one of my favorite sports experiences in my lifetime. Nothing is like it. Indescribable.
This year's passion and electricity jumped off the television in multiple games.
Fuhgeddaboutit
My wife has Italian roots.
She didn't care enough about the Italians because they weren't true Italians. It's a fair point.
But come on, Italy was fun to watch make their run!
Also, did anyone else stop for a second when they saw Jorge Posada in the Italian dugout, thinking, "wait, is he Italian?"
Po-sa-da! Hmmmm?
He's obviously Puerto Rican. But still... we all took a few seconds to reaffirm! Maybe it was just me.
Nonetheless, it was pretty cool seeing some new blood in the mix at the WBC, and their Cinderella run in the tournament was awesome. Baseball is top-heavy in its international play, so getting to see some of these other teams make strides and move along in the tournament added to the overall memorable excitement.
USA Baseball Needs to Get Serious
It's time.
USA Baseball needs to take a look at what USA Basketball's approach was with the "Redeem Team."
Oh boy, here he goes...
I understand the commitments for pitchers (and hitters) to get work in, and some clubs' requests are in play, but when does that STOP being an excuse? All of the teams are dealing with the same issues.
I wasn't a fan of Mark DeRosa in the last WBC - his (clear) lack of understanding of the engagement rules of pool play was unforgivable, and confirmed my further disinterest in him returning.
The roster selection was the same. Clayton Kershaw, after retiring, was well, interesting. While he pitched well enough to win, penciling in Nolan McLean for the potential championship game a week ahead also felt...well, interesting. The entire Tarik Skubal stuff? Ummmm, okay? The roster construction felt like a "stacked star roster" rather than being complementary or strategically planned.
We see, read about, and learn very detailed processes when it comes to lineups, pitchers used, and strategy throughout the season for MLB teams as they navigate the schedule. Who is coming up from the minors, their expectation, and how they will be replaced. Same for hitters - who hits when and playing where.
It just felt strange to have watched this USA team feel so unprepared, and well, limited in options, in key moments. And they almost won it despite this!
Wow, dude, you sound heated.
I miss Adam Jones in that 2017 run.
This team needed that guy. Maybe a few more of them.
I wouldn't be surprised if the 2030 team comes in more committed to these intense two weeks than we've ever seen before. Likely, the same for other countries. Maybe we see USA Baseball requiring a four-year commitment, like USA Basketball did, spanning the 2028 Olympics, riding into the 2030 WBC.
Bottom line, we need to be better.
Aaron, I'm So Sorry
I felt for Aaron Judge as he watched Venezuela celebrate. Once again, a bridesmaid.
Also, because it's what we now do in our culture, even with all of the facts and information readily accessible, Judge will face the "he's not clutch" or "can't win the big one" stigma.
Damn, man. So unfair.
American Culture is up for Debate
Transitioning off the topic of unfairly criticizing Judge - and maybe Cal Raleigh, ironically, we had a much different public debate a few months ago - I think baseball culture in America is up for debate.
You stop right there! This is America! And we own baseball!
Sure, we're the holders of "the pasttime" label. However, do we love the game as much as other countries?
Seriously, do we?
Genuinely, asking.
Venezuela Win
As difficult as it was to watch the USA go down in the Final (again!), the sheer joy and adulation of the Venezuelan team was a great watch. That was super cool, and the kind of moment that makes sports so incredibly awesome.
The real world is a real thing, regardless of what happens between those lines. The people of Venezuela have been through some shit. And to see how much it meant to the people of Venezuela in the stands, and the athletes on the field, to win this tournament - this "exhibition that some of us arrogantly called it" - was so freakin cool.
Miami has gotta be lit, tonight.
Viva Venezuela.