By: Manuel Polanco
Since its inception in 2006, the World Baseball Classic (WBC) has become one of the biggest preseason tournaments in sports. Players have the opportunity to represent their home countries, and fans get to root for their nations and fellow countrymen. This not only grows the sport of baseball worldwide, but also brings more people to the sport.
Some of the powerhouses in this tournament range from the Dominican Republic (DR), where baseball is not only a sport but a cultural icon and symbol of national pride. Japan and their ever growing talent and presence in MLB. The United States (U.S.), whose rosters often nets future Hall of Famers and MVPs. Lastly, two underrated powerhouses in Puerto Rico (PR)and Venezuela, whose national pride makes their players ascend during the tournament.
In 2023, Japan won its third WBC and further cemented itself as a baseball powerhouse. They beat the USA team, led by captain and future Hall of Famer Mike Trout. This was the first time the WBC had been played since 2017, as the COVID-19 pandemic barred them from playing in 2020. Many fans were excited to root for their home team again and witness new talent on the big stage.
Japan has won three WBC titles, the most in tournament history, and are favoirted to win again! The U.S has won one back in 2017. DR won back in 2012, and this year’s winner could be anyone! The new addition to this year’s tournament is team Brazil, which qualified after beating Germany in the qualifiers.
But what about this tournament makes it so special? Simply put, representing your nation means a lot to many players, and it’s their way of giving back not only to their communities but to the country as well. During the 2017 WBC, team PR all dyed their hair blonde and were nicknamed “Team Rubio”. This gimmick stuck with the Puerto Rican fans as they, too, dyed their hair blonde to support their fellow countrymen.
Baseball has often been criticized for being “too white” or lacking substance when it comes to the way many American baseball players play the game, but when you contrast this to Latin American players, their passion for the sport blows the U.S. out of the water.
DR values baseball like religion, and its players will always take the opportunity to represent their home country whenever given the chance. Dominican fans fill the stadium and bring massive amounts of energy, joy, and passion to see their favorite players win and represent them on the big stage.
To many Latin American baseball players, it’s an honor to represent their home and continue the tradition that the ones before them created. Many players celebrate every hit, homer, and strikeout differently. The passion and love for the game are some things they have carried with them since they were kids.
Former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright was a part of that ‘23 team, and he noted his battery mate, Yadier Molina’s experience in the WBC.
This is the pride and passion many players bring to the tournament. Many players are leaders in their communities, and others look up to them as mentor figures. Something new that the WBC is doing is holding games in San Juan, PR, where Team PR will play two games.
Imagine going to your local stadium and watching players from your background and watching them represent you and win. This type of passion and love is what makes baseball great and what makes rooting for your country special.
One issue, however, is that in order to play in the WBC, many players need to get insured, and if they’re not able to, then they cannot represent their country. Multiple players were denied insurance and were very vocal about the hypocrisy of approval, seeing as many players from Team USA and Japan got fully insured.
Miguel Rojas, a Venezuelan player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, was denied insurance for this year’s WBC.
“Like, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, we’ve seen a couple Dominican players. I don’t see that happening with the United States or happening with Japan. I’m not trying to attack anybody, or attack what’s going on, or seeing what’s happening behind the scenes. But at the end of the day, it feels like it’s just happening with the players that want to represent their country from Latin America,” said Rojas in a Sports Illustrated article.
On top of this, Team PR was threatening to withdraw from the torment when multiple players were being denied insurance even though they never had a vast injury history. Javier Baez, for some reason, was suspended for this year’s tournament because of a positive marijuana test in 2023, which is ridiculous to say the least.
It’s 2026, and the WBC is back, and we’re in store for new memories and big moments for each country. Team DR is already looking like a favorite to win the tournament, as their top stars were nicknamed “The Dominican Avengers” to encapsulate how much of a god squad this year’s team is.
Team USA has multiple Hall of Famers and two Cy Young winners on their roster, but their bland style of play and lack of sauce are one reason many see them as faulty.
Team PR may be missing its heavy hitters, but their love of PR and baseball will carry them far this year.