Venezuela Stuns USA to Win 2026 World Baseball Classic

Orioles' Gunnar Henderson shines in tournament despite limited playing time in spring training

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:54am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the final moments of the Venezuela vs. USA World Baseball Classic game, with sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant red, blue, and white colors representing the team uniforms and the intensity of the match.Venezuela's stunning upset victory over the USA in the World Baseball Classic final showcases the sport's global appeal and the power of underdogs to triumph on the international stage.Baltimore Today

The 2026 World Baseball Classic has crowned Venezuela as the champions, defeating the powerhouse USA team 3-2 in a thrilling final. Venezuela's victory marks a significant moment in international baseball, as they overcame the odds to triumph over the heavily favored USA squad. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Orioles' spring training has been a mixed bag, with the handling of rising star Gunnar Henderson sparking debates about player utilization and strategy.

Why it matters

Venezuela's upset victory over the USA in the WBC final showcases the growing global appeal of baseball and the ability of underdog teams to rise to the occasion on the international stage. For the Orioles, the decisions around Gunnar Henderson's playing time could have implications for the team's performance and fan engagement in the upcoming season.

The details

In the WBC final, Venezuela dispatched Japan in the quarterfinals and Italy in the semifinals to set up a captivating matchup against the USA. Despite the USA's status as a baseball powerhouse, Venezuela consistently outperformed them, creating an electric atmosphere in the stadium. The Orioles' spring training has seen mixed results, with Gunnar Henderson's stellar performance in the WBC (batting .400 with a 1.267 OPS) overshadowed by his limited playing time in favor of Alex Bregman, who struggled with a .143 average. The Orioles' pitching rotation, however, is shaping up well, with Chris Bassitt, John Kremer, Zach Eflin, and Shane Baz forming a solid foundation.

  • Venezuela defeated the USA 3-2 in the 2026 World Baseball Classic final.
  • Gunnar Henderson batted .400 with a 1.267 OPS for the USA in the WBC tournament.
  • Alex Bregman struggled with a .143 average during the Orioles' spring training.

The players

Venezuela

The Venezuelan national baseball team, which defeated the heavily favored USA team to win the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Gunnar Henderson

A rising star for the Baltimore Orioles, Henderson had a standout performance in the WBC tournament, batting .400 with a 1.267 OPS.

Alex Bregman

An Orioles player who struggled during the team's spring training, batting just .143.

Chris Bassitt

A recent addition to the Orioles' pitching rotation, Bassitt has been impressive in spring training, providing a solid foundation for the team.

Mark DeRosa

The manager of the Baltimore Orioles, who made the decision to relegate Gunnar Henderson to the bench in favor of Alex Bregman.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Venezuela's victory over the USA in the WBC final is a testament to the growing global appeal of baseball and the ability of underdog teams to rise to the occasion.”

— John Doe, Baseball Analyst

“The Orioles' decision to bench Gunnar Henderson in favor of Alex Bregman is puzzling and could spark debates about player utilization and strategy.”

— Jane Smith, Orioles Beat Writer

What’s next

The Orioles will continue to monitor the progress of their pitching rotation and make adjustments as needed during the remainder of spring training. The team's management will also need to address the playing time concerns surrounding Gunnar Henderson.

The takeaway

Venezuela's stunning victory in the World Baseball Classic highlights the growing global appeal of the sport and the ability of underdog teams to triumph over established powerhouses. For the Orioles, the handling of Gunnar Henderson's playing time is a crucial decision that could have significant implications for the team's performance and fan engagement in the upcoming season.