Team Italy Celebrates Home Runs with Espresso at World Baseball Classic

Italian Americans on the national team bring a taste of Italy to the dugout with an espresso machine.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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At the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Team Italy is stealing the spotlight with their unique home run celebration. Instead of the usual Gatorade showers or sunflower seed tosses, Italy has set up a full espresso machine in their dugout. Every time a player hits a home run, he is handed a shot of strong, steaming, classic Italian espresso, capturing the passion and culture of the team.

Why it matters

In a sport often dominated by traditions, stats and rituals, Team Italy is reminding the baseball world that celebrations are also a way to show personality and pride. Their espresso celebration has captured the imagination of fans around the world, as it is more than just caffeine - it is a cultural statement, a nod to Italy's love of food, energy and community.

The details

Many of the Italian roster are Italian Americans, including top-tier MLB players like Adam Ottavino and Vinnie Pasquantino who have deep roots in the culture and a love for the game. Instead of the usual Gatorade showers or sunflower seed tosses, Italy has set up a full espresso machine in their dugout. Every time a player hits a home run, he is handed a shot of espresso strong, steaming and classic Italian.

  • The 2026 World Baseball Classic is currently underway.

The players

Team Italy

The Italian national baseball team competing in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, featuring many Italian American players with deep roots in the culture.

Adam Ottavino

An Italian American MLB player on the Team Italy roster.

Vinnie Pasquantino

An Italian American MLB player on the Team Italy roster.

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What they’re saying

“This is the best thing I have seen today…”

— Sporting_TC (Twitter)

“Every other team has Gatorade and sunflower seeds. Italy brought a whole espresso bar. This is why they do not need to win. They have already won at life.”

— TheLucasToday (Twitter)

“Only Italy celebrates a World Baseball Classic win with espresso energy and full cultural commitment. This is why baseball needs more of this team on the biggest stages.”

— slimvnsn (Twitter)

“This is so fire 🔥 You can literally feel the passion through the screen. The espresso celebration is such a perfect Italy moment too. Football, energy, culture, all in one vibe. I love seeing teams bring their personality to the game like this 🇮🇹☕⚾.”

— dsgaert (Twitter)

“That espresso celebration is peak Italian energy. Forza Italia!”

— Boymotives (Twitter)

What’s next

The 2026 World Baseball Classic is still ongoing, so fans will continue to watch and see if Team Italy can maintain their unique espresso celebration throughout the tournament.

The takeaway

Team Italy's espresso celebration at the World Baseball Classic is a refreshing reminder that sports can be about more than just wins and losses. By embracing their cultural identity and bringing a taste of Italy to the dugout, the Italian American players are creating memorable moments that capture the passion and community at the heart of the game.