Since 2006, the World Baseball Classic has taken place for the top talent in baseball representing their country. Since it originated, it has only grown in popularity, bringing fans from different backgrounds, heritages, and traditions together. This year, the World Baseball Classic took place in Miami, on March 17.
Calabasas High School Senior, Alex Sukyas, described the impact the World Baseball Classic has on countries worldwide.
“I think it’s great for accelerating growth in other nations. Also, I’ve seen stuff online about nations where baseball is still unheard of, where they’re trying to adopt the sport and create national teams. I think the WBC is the best chance the MLB has to make baseball more of an international thing like soccer and basketball are,” Sukyas said.
Coming into the World Baseball Classic this year, the favorites to win it all consisted of the USA, Japan, Dominican Republic and Venezuela, a first-time participant in the WBC. Japan had won the WBC in 2023 by defeating the USA 3-2 with none other than Shohei Ohtani on the mound and in the batter’s box. However, a run at back to back titles fell short in the quarterfinals to Venezuela 8-5.
Venezuela went on to defeat Italy in the semifinals 4-2, punching a ticket to the championship. Team USA faced the Dominican Republic in the other semifinal game, where a pair of home runs from Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony led them to a 2-1 victory, setting up a championship matchup.
Team USA fell just short to Venezuela in the final game as a 9th inning double from Venezuela’s Eugenio Suarez led to a 3-2 victory over USA.
Team USA had been under scrutiny for their seemingly lack of effort or care compared to other nations the past few times around.
Calabasas senior baseball player Jax Belschner shared his thoughts on USA’s effort throughout the tournament.
“I thought overall the effort was there and pretty good throughout, but ultimately fell short at the end,” Belschner said.
Not only was the team facing questions and backlash, but also Mark DeRosa, who has managed the US back to back times.
Alex Sukyas weighed his opinion on both the players and DeRosa facing scrutiny for their performance.
“I don’t think they took it seriously, not at all. If they did take it seriously, DeRosa would’ve never been manager. Mike Trout and Trea Turner would’ve been on the roster, and Aaron Judge wouldn’t have been captain,” Sukyas said.
Although DeRosa played in the majors for 16 seasons, he has never managed an MLB team and instead worked as an analyst for MLB Network since his retirement.
A key takeaway from the World Baseball Classic is the desire to go out and win from every country no matter the odds stacked against them.
Jax Belschner emphasized the determination each country goes out and plays with.
“You can tell by watching these games and the players that it is way more intense than any regular game. They want to win not only for themselves but for the country they represent,” Belschner said.
The unity and togetherness the World Baseball Classic brings shows the many positives it has on all countries and how it will only continue to grow in the years to come.
