US Baseball Team Embraces Military Ties Ahead of WBC Final Against Venezuela
The United States will face Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic final on Tuesday night, a high-stakes matchup that follows recent geopolitical tensions between the two nations. This clash comes after the US captured Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro in a military operation ordered by Donald Trump in January, adding a layer of political significance to the sporting event.
Military Honors and Locker Room Motivation
In preparation for the final, the American team has prominently showcased its military connections. Players have been saluting each other after victories, and the team invited Robert J O’Neill, a former Navy Seal who claims to have killed Osama bin Laden, to deliver a motivational locker room speech. This choice sparked some controversy, as O’Neill has faced criticism for publicly discussing secret military operations and made inflammatory comments about men who voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
Two of the team’s pitchers, Paul Skenes and Griffin Jax, who played at the Air Force Academy, have emphasized the importance of honoring the military. Skenes, who helped secure a semi-final win over the Dominican Republic on Sunday, stated that his participation is dedicated to every serviceman and woman protecting American freedoms. He remarked, “This is what we do in America. We fight and we win. And that’s our responsibility.”
Contrasting Team Spirits and Cultural Approaches
The Americans’ serious, military-influenced demeanor stands in stark contrast to the more lighthearted and celebratory styles of other teams in the tournament. Italy, for example, took shots of espresso and exchanged cheek kisses after home runs, while the Dominican Republic became known for their passionate fans and exuberant celebrations. Venezuela, the US’s opponent in the final, dances and sings as a team before each game, a tradition they plan to continue on Tuesday. Manager Omar López explained, “That’s us. That’s our country. That’s winter ball. That’s how we enjoy our baseball.”
This cultural divide was further highlighted by an incident involving US catcher Cal Raleigh, who refused to give a fist bump to Mexico’s Randy Arozarena during a game, despite being teammates for the Seattle Mariners. Arozarena responded angrily, telling Raleigh to “go fuck himself.”
Team Responses and Tournament Context
US manager Mark DeRosa defended the team’s focus on military ties, noting that it helps players remember their purpose. He shared Skenes’s sentiment: “I want to do this for every serviceman and woman who protects our freedom, and that’s why we wear USA across our chest.” Meanwhile, US outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong denied that his team is boring, asserting that they enjoy the tournament in their own way. He commented, “You guys would all think it’s silly if we shuffled like [Juan] Soto or did [Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s] little wiggle. That’s them and if I had enough swag to do that I would probably do that, too. We have fun in our own way, but we definitely have fun out there.”
This final marks a rematch of the 2023 tournament quarter-finals, which the US won 9-7 before losing to Japan in the final. The Americans are now chasing their second World Baseball Classic title, while Venezuela aims to win the tournament for the first time, setting the stage for a dramatic and emotionally charged showdown.
