The top 10 moments from the World Baseball Classic (so far)

Identifying the top 10 moments thus far from the 2026 World Baseball Classic is no easy task.

The number of memorable, mind-blowing moments from this Classic far exceeds 10, for sure. But we’ve taken our best shot at paring all of what we’ve seen into the list below.

With the start of Friday’s quarterfinals sure to give us more unforgettable images, here is a look at the best from the WBC’s opening round.

1. Puerto Rico’s epic walk-off HR on home soil

Mere hours after Team Netherlands’ Ozzie Albies hit the first walk-off home run in WBC history, Puerto Rico’s Darell Hernaiz provided the second -- a 10th-inning crush job to defeat Panama. But Hernaiz’s heroics claim the top spot on this list because of the absolutely electric reaction from the home team and crowd inside Puerto Rico’s Hiram Bithorn Stadium as the ball sailed into the left-field seats. It’s impossible to watch this play and not get goosebumps. FULL STORY >>

2. Italy beats Team USA

After winning its first three Pool B games, the United States seemed destined to roll into the quarterfinals undefeated, but Italy had other ideas. The espresso was flowing as Italy went up big early before withstanding a late rally to stun the Americans, capped off by Greg Weissert’s strikeout of Team USA captain Aaron Judge. FULL STORY >>

3. 17-year-old Contreras gets Judge to GIDP

Team Brazil right-handed pitcher Joseph Contreras, the son of former MLB pitcher Jose Contreras, is still finishing up high school. Team USA’s Aaron Judge is one of the greatest right-handed hitters in big league history. It looked like a lopsided matchup when these two faced off on Friday. But the advantage went to the teenager, who got the three-time MVP to ground into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded. It is a moment that will surely last a lifetime for the 17-year-old. FULL STORY >>

4. Witt’s glove work impresses Skenes

While Bobby Witt Jr.'s dazzling defense at shortstop in Team USA’s win over Mexico had everyone buzzing, perhaps no one was more impressed than the man on the mound, Paul Skenes. The ace’s awestruck reaction after one of Witt’s gems went viral instantly, even catching the attention of the Skenes' girlfriend, Livvy Dunne. FULL STORY >>

5. Three homers (and espresso shots) for Pasquantino

Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino produced the first three-homer game in World Baseball Classic history on Wednesday, helping Team Italy knock off Mexico, stay undefeated and earn the top seed in Pool B for the quarterfinals. Since Italy celebrates each homer with a shot of espresso, it’s fair to say that Pasquantino was fired up (and well caffeinated) after the win. FULL STORY >>

6. Ohtani opens Japan’s title defense in grand fashion at Tokyo Dome

Fans who packed the Tokyo Dome for Samurai Japan’s WBC opener expecting to see something special from Shohei Ohtani didn’t have to wait long. After doubling in his first at-bat, Ohtani stepped to the plate with the bases loaded in the second inning and sent a towering blast deep to right field for a grand slam as Japan began its title defense with a 13-0 win over Chinese Taipei. FULL STORY >>

7. Canada advances for the first time

You know what they say: The sixth time’s the charm. After experiencing a first-round elimination in each of the first five Classics, Team Canada finally got over the hump this year. It secured a spot in the quarterfinals for the first time with a convincing 7-2 win over Cuba on Wednesday. That sets the stage for a Canada-USA showdown on Friday in Houston. FULL STORY >>

8. Soto calls game against the Netherlands

With the Dominican Republic cruising against the Netherlands, manager Albert Pujols was planning to empty his bench. But Juan Soto wasn’t ready to come out, fully aware the Dominicans needed only one more run to end the game early. After talking his way into one more at-bat, Soto crushed the first pitch he saw in the bottom of the seventh for a homer that triggered the run rule, then pointed to the dugout as if to say, “I told you so.” FULL STORY >>

9. Tatis launches electric grand slam

Fernando Tatis Jr. punctuated his grand slam versus Israel on Monday -- the first grand slam for the Dominicans in tournament history -- with the type of flair only he can provide. The sweet swing. The long stare. The humongous bat flip. The unbridled excitement. They were all on display inside a raucous loanDepot park in Miami. FULL STORY >>

10. Satoria’s storybook ending

Back home in Czechia, Ondřej Satoria is just another electrical worker. But in Japan, he's a celebrity. Three years ago, Satoria struck out Ohtani with a changeup that sent the superstar's helmet flying -- a moment that turned the part-time pitcher into a folk hero, particularly in Japan where fans still line up for his autograph. Making his final appearance for the national team this year, Satoria fittingly faced Japan at the Tokyo Dome again -- albeit without Ohtani, who didn’t start -- and held the defending champs scoreless over 4 2/3 innings before exiting to a standing ovation. FULL STORY >>