Luis Arraez Gives WBC Gold Medal to His Mom

The Giants infielder had a heartwarming reason for not wearing his championship hardware.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 2:37am by Ben Kaplan

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Luis Arraez, the San Francisco Giants infielder, recently returned to the team after helping Venezuela win the 2026 World Baseball Classic. When asked why he wasn't wearing his gold medal, Arraez revealed that he had given it to his mother, saying she deserved it more than he did.

Why it matters

Arraez's gesture of giving his hard-earned gold medal to his mother is a heartwarming display of family values and humility, which resonates with many fans. It also highlights the personal sacrifices and support that often go into an athlete's success.

The details

Arraez, a 28-year-old three-time All-Star, was a key contributor to Venezuela's WBC championship run. He hit .308/.367/.692 with 2 home runs and 10 RBIs in seven games during the tournament. In the championship game, Venezuela defeated Team USA 3-2.

  • Arraez returned to the San Francisco Giants on March 22, 2026 after the WBC.
  • Venezuela won the 2026 World Baseball Classic championship.

The players

Luis Arraez

A 28-year-old infielder for the San Francisco Giants who recently won a gold medal with Venezuela at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Venezuela

The national baseball team that won the 2026 World Baseball Classic championship.

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What they’re saying

“I don't have it. I gave it to my Mom. She's the one who deserves it.”

— Luis Arraez

What’s next

Arraez will look to help the San Francisco Giants end their World Series drought after his successful WBC run with Venezuela.

The takeaway

Arraez's selfless act of giving his hard-earned WBC gold medal to his mother is a heartwarming reminder of the importance of family and humility, even at the highest levels of professional sports.