Echoes of Trea Turner’s grand slam still haunt Venezuelan fans. It was a moment that brought a screeching halt to the aspirations of a team that seemed destined for greatness. But instead of advancing to the semifinals, they bowed out of the 2023 World Baseball Classic with a bitter quarterfinal loss to the United States, despite carrying a lead into the eighth inning.
The 2026 tournament presents a new opportunity for manager Omar López’s squad. Entering as the No. 5 ranked nation by the WBSC and boasting a roster overflowing with talent, they are looking to reach -- at the very least -- the championship game for the first time.
The pressure is beginning to mount for a country that is a bona fide baseball powerhouse, yet seems unable to fully translate its potential into success at this specific event.
Japan has won the tournament three times. The United States and the Dominican Republic each have one championship apiece. Puerto Rico has reached two finals, and Cuba one. It would seem that Venezuela is the lone “giant” left to leave its mark on an event that turns 20 years old in 2026.
How they fared in 2023
It seemed fortune was smiling on Venezuela in 2023. It shined in the "Group of Death" in Pool D in Miami, finishing undefeated in four games after beating the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Israel, and Nicaragua, before the fateful clash against the United States.
Even in that quarterfinal duel, everything seemed to be breaking Venezuela's way, despite seeing José Altuve leave the game after being hit by a pitch on the hand. The game was a back-and-forth affair from the start, and saw Venezuela holding a 7-5 lead in the eighth inning.
Then, it all fell apart.
Tim Anderson walked, Pete Alonso singled and J.T. Realmuto was hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded and no outs came the blast by Turner that still haunts Venezuela. The United States won 9-7 and advanced to the semifinals, where it subsequently beat Cuba before falling to Japan in the final.
2026 Classic Schedule
Venezuela will be part of Pool D in Miami, where it will once again meet the Dominican Republic, Israel and Nicaragua, along with the Netherlands.
On Friday, March 6, it will debut against the Netherlands at 12 p.m. ET. The next day it faces Israel at 7 p.m. ET. On Monday, March 9, it clashes with Nicaragua at 7 p.m. ET, and finally, it wraps up the first round against the Dominican Republic on March 11 at 8 p.m. ET.
Best Classic
It feels like a lifetime ago when Venezuela reached the semifinals in 2009, which remains the best performance by La Vinotinto in World Baseball Classic history to date. The dream of a final was short-lived, however, with Korea scoring seven runs in the first two innings of a game in which the Venezuelans eventually fell in a 10-2 rout.
Venezuela reached that stage after posting a 3-1 record in Pool C in Toronto, before adding three more wins in a round robin in Miami that punched its ticket to the semis. That squad featured stars like Miguel Cabrera, Félix Hernández, Francisco Rodríguez, Bobby Abreu, Magglio Ordóñez, Melvin Mora and Marco Scutaro.
Best games in history
In recent history, the opener of the 2023 Classic where they beat the Dominican Republic 5-1, or in 2009, when they topped the United States 10-6 in the matchup prior to the semifinals, must rank near the top. Even their participation in the last Premier12 tournament, where they finished fourth in 2024, stands out.
But there is no game more decisive in the history of Venezuelan baseball than the one played on Oct. 22, 1941, in Havana. That day, Venezuela defeated a heavily favored Cuban team, 3-1 in the Amateur World Series -- a result that launched the sport’s popularity in Venezuela, a feat now known as a victory for "The Heroes of '41."
Notable MLB Names
Ronald Acuña Jr. headlines the Venezuelan roster. The country boasts a deep and very talented squad, but certainly, everything points to the team going as Acuña goes.
The 2023 National League MVP and the only player in MLB history with a 40-70 campaign is the leader of a roster that features other stars such as Jackson Chourio, Maikel García, Eugenio Suárez, Luis Arráez, Gleyber Torres, Willson and William Contreras, Ranger Suárez, Eduardo Rodríguez and the captain, Salvador Perez.
Minor League Standouts
The Venezuela roster is stacked with established MLB players, but among the members with less experience in the big leagues are pitchers Enmanuel de Jesús, Carlos Guzmán, Oddanier Mosqueda and Ricardo Sánchez, who was recently named Pitcher of the Year in the Venezuelan Winter League.
Storylines to follow
For some time now, constructing a potential starting lineup for Venezuela has been one of the most compelling topics for fans of the country, especially regarding the infield, considering that Acuña, Abreu and Chourio will be fixtures in the outfield.
Will it be Suárez or García at the hot corner? Arráez or Willson Contreras at first? Or is Arráez better suited for second base? But if Suárez covers third, wouldn't García be at second? And what about Torres? Andrés Giménez at shortstop, or is García better there? Pérez at DH and William Contreras behind the plate, right?
The sheer number of combinations available to López is a fascinating storyline to follow.
Question marks
Even with all the depth the offense -- and even the bullpen -- offers, there is one major question mark: The rotation.
That group suffered a heavy blow with the news that Pablo López appears destined for a second career Tommy John surgery. This is compounded by the absence of Jesús Luzardo, who might be available for the second round.
Beyond Ranger Suárez and Eduardo Rodríguez, questions abound for Venezuela. Keider Montero, Germán Márquez and Antonio Senzatela could emerge as options, although it is possible that "bullpen days" will become a reality for the coaching staff.