Originally published on Pretty Girls Playbook on March 23, 2026.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic has come to an end, and I was surprisingly invested. As someone whose baseball knowledge was solely shaped by Wii Sports and High School Musical 2, I was captivated by every game. When I learned that Puerto Rico’s team not only qualified but would also host the Pool A games in San Juan’s Hiram Bithorn Stadium, I quickly brushed up on my baseball jargon and prepared for the tournament to consume my next two weeks.
On March 6th, their first game against Colombia took place, and watching them win 5-0 filled me with immense pride and excitement. I was clearly not the only one, as a few hours later, fireworks illuminated the night sky, celebrating the first game played and won in San Juan. Unfortunately, the excitement was cut short, as the Puerto Rican team got eliminated in the quarterfinals against Italy. However, even though my enthusiasm faded, I remained committed to watching the tournament and experiencing all the Classic had to offer.
Pool Play Recap
First off, let’s go back to the beginning and look at the defining moments in the pool play. From an underdog’s slow rise to an early favorite taking a stumble, it was an unpredictable journey for everyone.
Starting at the top, Pool A secured quarterfinal spots for Puerto Rico and Canada. Both teams were evenly matched, but Canada ultimately secured the top spot by defeating Cuba 7-2. A highlight included Puerto Rico’s last-minute home run versus Panama, where Darell Hernaiz knocked the ball out of the park in the bottom of the 10th, marking a historic and exhilarating ending.
In Pool B, the matchups were definitely more tense, especially since the USA’s team, an early frontrunner, lost to Italy. This left the American team in an anxious position, since its quarterfinal spot depended entirely on Italy and Mexico’s game. If Mexico won, it placed them in a three-way tie, but if Italy triumphed, the USA secured second place in the quarterfinals. Fortunately for the USA, Italy beat Mexico 9-1, leaving both teams in the top two spots.
Pool C witnessed Japan’s undefeated victory, as it easily landed its top spot in the rankings. Its last game versus Czechia ended 9-0, featuring a home run by Munetaka Murakami. The second spot went to Korea, which, despite being tied with Australia, broke the tie by five runs. This marks the first time since 2009 that Korea has advanced to the quarterfinals.
Lastly, Pool D was an easy win for both Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, since they were both undefeated until their last game against each other. Off to a strong start with Juan Soto’s two-run homer, the Dominican Republic ultimately won their matchup 8-5, securing the top spot in Pool D.
Finals Recap
The quarterfinals started with the Dominican Republic facing Korea in Miami, and the United States and Canada matchup in Houston. The first game ended in a mercy rule, as the Dominican Republic scored an extraordinary 10 runs, while Korea scored nothing. On the other hand, the USA and Canada had a closer game ending 5-3, in favor of the American team. With three runs, one being a homer by Bo Naylor, Canada caught up in the bottom of the 6th, but it wasn’t enough to advance to the semifinals.
The third quarterfinal featured Italy and Puerto Rico in Houston, where Italy triumphed 8-6. There was some commotion during the 4th inning as a fan reached out and caught a fly ball, resulting in a double run for Italy. Both teams played very well, but Italy had a strong start, and sadly, Puerto Rico could not keep up. Lastly, the quarterfinal between Venezuela and Japan stacked two frontrunners, resulting in a Venezuela victory. I don’t think anyone expected the reigning champions to be eliminated in the quarterfinals, but Venezuela did not come to play this Classic.
Advancing to the semifinals, the game between the Dominican Republic and the USA was probably the most tense, ending in a surprising 2-1. Coming off a 10-0 victory, I expected a similar performance from the Dominican Republic, but the game ultimately came down to taking advantage of scoring opportunities, which the USA capitalized on. In the last semifinal, Venezuela and Italy took the field with another stacked matchup. Italy led 2-1 into the 7th inning, until suddenly, everything changed with Venezuela’s staggering comeback. They managed to score three runs, flipping the game to their favor and securing them a final spot.
The highly anticipated championship featured the USA and Venezuela, a pretty dramatic pairing considering their political relationship. Venezuela took an early 2-0 lead, which the USA matched with two runs in the 8th inning. However, Venezuela quickly broke the tie in the top of the 9th, ending the game 3-2. The USA’s final strikeout was met with the crowd’s uproar, paired with Venezuelan players collapsing on the field, many joining their hands in prayer. I could feel the euphoria through the screen, as this not only marks Venezuela’s first WBC championship title, but brings so much pride and joy to their country.
Final Thoughts
While the World Baseball Classic has only been around for 20 years, I find it one of the most entertaining international tournaments. Maybe it’s the accelerated pace of the tournament, or that I’m more of a baseball fan than I realized, but I was truly captivated from beginning to end, even after my team got eliminated. I’m so happy that Venezuela took home the championship, because there is truly no team or country more deserving of this win. For countless years, Venezuela has faced significant challenges with its leadership, and I hope this victory is only the start of the light at the end of the tunnel for them.