While Major League Baseball teams were going through the routine wrap-up to their annual Spring Training, many of its best players were experiencing the game via the excitement and spectacular conclusion to the World Baseball Classic in Miami. The pre-game hype and the emotional aftermath of Venezuela’s 3-2 victory over Team USA left no doubt that the game born in the United States is now truly played and enjoyed worldwide.
The emotions and flowing tears of Venezuela players were vivid evidence of how much this victory meant to them and the country they represented. It’s not a question of how much the United States players cared — they cared a lot. But despite the pedigree and talent on its roster, they simply didn’t hit.
Its roster, headlined by three of MLB’s leading home run hitters from the 2025 season (Cal Raleigh 60, Kyle Schwarber 56, and Aaron Judge 53), could muster only 9 WBC long balls, while striking out 25 times in its final two games.
As the USA came to bat in the bottom of the eighth inning, trailing 2-1, Fox announcer John Smoltz observed, ‘This doesn’t resemble a dream team, it’s more like a tired team playing the last game of a 10-day road trip in August.’
Up to that point, the USA bats had produced just two hits while being shut out. That quickly changed when Bryce Harper connected for a two-run home run, tying the game at 2. The lead was short-lived when Eugenio Suarez’s double drove home the winning run for Venezuela.
With the WBC concluded, players faced the quick turnaround to their MLB teams and finishing touches to preparations for the upcoming season. Harper and Schwarber bring those memories back to the Phillies clubhouse, while Pittsburgh fans hope the experience gained by a bevy of Pirates players will bring a long-overdue winning season back to the Burgh.
Headed by star pitcher Paul Skenes (who was selected to the WBC all-tournament team), seven players on the team’s opening day roster played in the WBC. The group includes Oneil Cruz. Dennis Santana and Gregory Soto (Dominican Republic), Kyle Nichols (Italy), Nick Gonzales (Mexico), and Spencer Horwitz (Israel).
The Pirates open their 145th baseball season Thursday, visiting the New York Mets. In an amazing statistical anomaly, the previous 144 seasons have resulted in an even .500 record, winning 10,910 games while losing the same amount. But for the past decade, losing has been the buzzword. Since 2016, the Pirates have had one winning season (2018) and haven’t made the playoffs since 2015. Not surprisingly, the team’s attendance has followed suit. In the past five years, they’ve averaged about 19,000 fans a game, ranking them 14th among the 15 National League teams.
Following Team USA’s World Baseball Classic semi-final 2-1 win over the Dominican Republic, Skenes asked Los Angeles Dodgers Clayton Kershaw how playing in the WBC stacked up with the World Series.
“They’re different,” Kershaw replied. “But incredible in their own right.”
Long-suffering Pirates fans can be uplifted by Skenes’s inquiry.
“It’s definitely something I want to bring to Pittsburgh. It’s going to be a little different once it gets there. It’s been awesome to be with these guys, to see how the best in the world go about their business. There are a lot of commonalities among everybody in the clubhouse. Getting to see that up close for a sustained period of time has been awesome.
“Hopefully, we’ll implement some of it in Pittsburgh, things that can make us better just by seeing how the best in the world go about their business. I’m excited to do that.”
Having the pitching talents of Skenes in black & gold is a true treasure for Bucco fans who are hopeful this year will be better than the results of the past decade.
Although just 23, Skenes gained great respect among his WBC teammates. He also penned an open letter to young athletes stressing core values to succeed in life. In it, he shares his personal journey, beginning with his transformative experience at the U.S. Air Force Academy, which he credits as a major factor in shaping his baseball success.
The letter also offers practical advice for aspiring players: there are no shortcuts or cheat codes for success. He stresses hard work is the minimum requirement, and what truly separates successful athletes is the ability to remain disciplined, coachable, and confident, even on the difficult or unglamorous days. He encourages young players to embrace the grind, make sacrifices, and dedicate themselves fully to their craft.
The full content of Skene’s letter can be found by searching the internet — a letter to all Little Leaguers out there.
The World Baseball Classic has concluded. The Major League Baseball season is beginning; may the spirit of the game, as exhibited in the WBC, be experienced by all who play the game.
