The recently completed World Baseball Classic (WBC), which saw world No. 5 Venezuela defeat hosts and world No. 3 USA in a thrilling final on Tuesday, delivered more than elite on-field action. It showcased the raw emotion, identity and pride that come with wearing a national team jersey, underlining how international baseball continues to reach new heights.
For many of the sport’s biggest names, representing their country has become the ultimate stage. Passion. Pride. And leaving it all out on the field.
USA captain and New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge captured the spirit of the tournament following his team’s semifinal victory over the Dominican Republic.
“The World Series I was in, the crowd here… it’s bigger and better than the World Series,” Judge said. “The passion that these fans have, representing their country and their favourite players – there’s nothing like it.”
A three-time American League MVP and perennial All-Star, Judge led Team USA with distinction, reinforcing how the WBC delivers an atmosphere and global stage unlike anything else in the game.
That sentiment is shared across the global baseball community.
“Every player wants to do it. Everybody wants to be out there competing for their country,” said Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer.
Venezuela’s Eduardo Rodríguez, a World Series champion with the Boston Red Sox, described his experience on the mound in the World Championship Game as unmatched.
“There’s nothing I can compare to this,” Rodríguez said. “This is the greatest moment I’ve ever had on the mound. It felt like the whole of Venezuela was there.”
Judge’s teammate, Bryce Harper, who homered in the bottom of the eighth to tie the final at 2-2, was equally thrilled with his World Baseball Classic experience.
“Being able to kind of put a country on your back and make something happen late in that game was huge for our team,” the USA luminary said. “That was a great championship game. Obviously I thought baseball won in that moment. It was a great tournament.
“All the cultures coming together to play this great game and I think people saw that. I think it’s a great stepping stone into LA [Olympic Games],” Harper added.
For Dominican Republic star Julio Rodríguez, already an Olympic medallist at just 25, international success carries a deeper meaning.
“Winning the World Baseball Classic would be at the top of the list,” he said. “This is for my country, my town, my people, my neighbourhood.”
The tournament is also inspiring the next generation. The USA’s youngest roster member, Roman Anthony, reflected on his journey from fan to player after attending the 2023 final in Miami.
“You dream of representing your country and being here one day,” Anthony said. “Now I get to live that dream.”
Beyond the traditional powerhouses, the WBC has played a pivotal role in growing the game globally.
Italy’s historic run captured national attention, bringing baseball onto the front pages of major sports publications. Team captain Vinnie Pasquantino emphasised the broader mission behind their rise.
“The goal has always been to keep growing the game,” Pasquantino said.
Similarly, Chinese Taipei’s Stuart Fairchild highlighted the pride of representing heritage on the international stage.
“We’re showing the world that a small island can achieve great things,” he said.
Since its launch in 2006, the WBC has transformed perceptions of international baseball. Once questioned by some, the tournament is now widely recognised as a premier global event.
Rising viewership and fan engagement reflect that shift. Yet the tournament’s appeal is simpler, and more powerful, than any metric. It lies in witnessing the world’s best players donning a national team jersey and competing for their countries.
As many of the game’s biggest stars have made clear, the WBC is more than a tournament – it is a celebration of national identity, pride and the global spirit of baseball.
And with the WBSC Premier12 qualifiers taking place later this year followed by the WBSC Premier12 next year and the LA28 Olympic Games the year after, the future of international baseball is looking extremely bright.
Cover photo: WBCI/MLB via Getty Images
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