Venezuela Wins World Baseball Classic Final Over USA

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   Venezuela defeated Team USA 3-2 in the final of the World Baseball Classic on March 17, 2026.

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   The final of the World Baseball Classic was held at LoanDepot Park in Miami.

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   Venezuela won its first World Baseball Classic championship.

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   The game was tied 2-2 heading into the ninth inning.

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   In the top of the ninth inning, Luis Arráez walked to lead off the inning.

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   In the top of the ninth inning, Javier Sanoja stole second base after entering the game as a pinch runner.

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   In the top of the ninth inning, Eugenio Suárez hit a go-ahead run-scoring double to left-center field.

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   Daniel Palencia retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth inning to secure the victory.

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   Venezuela opened the scoring in the third inning with a sacrifice fly by Maikel Garcia.

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    Wilyer Abreu hit a 414-foot solo home run to center field in the fifth inning to put Venezuela ahead 2-0.

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    Eduardo Rodríguez struck out four batters and allowed one hit over 4 1/3 innings as Venezuela's starting pitcher.

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    The United States did not have a runner reach base until the third inning.

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    Team USA scored two runs in the semifinal and two runs in the final of the World Baseball Classic.

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    Team USA had only three hits in the final.

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    Aaron Judge was the reigning American League MVP during the World Baseball Classic.

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    Aaron Judge finished the final game 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and a groundout that stranded a runner.

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    Bobby Witt Jr. drew a two-out walk in the bottom of the eighth inning.

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    In the bottom of the eighth inning, Bryce Harper hit a 434-foot two-run home run to center field to tie the game 2-2.

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    Bryce Harper faced a 93 mph changeup when he hit the home run in the eighth inning.

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    Bryce Harper flipped his bat after hitting the home run.

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    Harper saluted his teammates who had emptied the dugout and waited at home plate after he rounded third base.

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    Harper pointed to the American flag on his jersey's left sleeve as he approached home plate.

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    Venezuelan players and coaches draped themselves in Venezuela's national flag during their on-field celebration.

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    Venezuelan fans at the stadium chanted "Ponche!"—Spanish for strikeout—whenever a Team USA batter faced a two-strike count.

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    Mason Miller was unable to pitch in the ninth inning because his Major League team, the San Diego Padres, did not allow him to.

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    Daniel Palencia is a relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs.

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    Daniel Palencia did not sign a professional baseball contract until he was 20 years old.

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    Bryce Harper was in his second Major League season by the age of 20.

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    Bryce Harper played for the United States 16U national baseball team in Veracruz, Mexico, at age 16.

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    Bryce Harper played for the United States 18U national baseball team in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, at age 17.

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    Baseball was introduced to Venezuela in the late 19th century by expatriates from Cuba.

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    The sport was introduced to Cuba in the 1860s by Americans.

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    Andres Machado is a Venezuelan professional baseball player who plays in Japan.

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    Bryce Harper brought his family to the World Baseball Classic.

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    Bryce Harper declined to participate in previous World Baseball Classics.

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    Harper went 4-for-24 in his first six games of the tournament.

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    Bryce Harper wore a jersey with "USA" across the chest during the World Baseball Classic.

38. Bryce Harper

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    Bryce Harper said, "It's America's pastime, but that's the greatest thing about our game. We can share it with all these different countries as well and bring it all together and be part of this. And it's awesome. It's really awesome."

39. Bryce Harper

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    Bryce Harper said, "I'm just glad that I gave us the opportunity and gave us the moment, right? I mean, that's what you live for."

40. Bryce Harper

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    Bryce Harper said, "The thing about having my family with me is I want them to share these moments with me."

41. Bryce Harper

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    Bryce Harper said, "It showed us that the best team in the world won."

42. Bryce Harper

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    Bryce Harper said, "Baseball's in a really good spot, in a really good situation. And there's a lot of young talent in all countries. And I think the world saw baseball's a great game."

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    Aaron Judge served as the captain of Team USA during the tournament.

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    Team USA defeated the Dominican Republic 2-1 in the semifinal of the World Baseball Classic.

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    Venezuela defeated defending champion Japan in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic.

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    Venezuela defeated Italy in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic.

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    Team USA has not won the World Baseball Classic since 2017.

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    The World Baseball Classic tournament lasted over two weeks.

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    Bat flips existed before the World Baseball Classic but were not common in Major League Baseball at that time.

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    Wilyer Abreu flipped his bat after hitting a home run during the World Baseball Classic.

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    Fernando Tatis Jr. flipped his bat after hitting a home run during the World Baseball Classic.

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    Bryce Harper's father worked as an ironworker in Las Vegas.

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    "Ponche" is Spanish for "strikeout".

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    The World Baseball Classic pits national teams representing baseball-playing countries against each other.