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Several members of Team USA didn’t seem to want anything to do with a second-place finish in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
The United States squad received silver medals after falling to Venezuela, 3-2, in the WBC final on Tuesday in Miami. However, shortly after receiving them from MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, several players took them off.
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Kyle Schwarber of Team USA reacts after receiving a silver medal following the 3-2 loss against Team Venezuela at CreditDepot Park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Mason Miller was eager to take off his medal, and he did so even before hugging manager Mark DeRosa. Kyle Schwarber waited a little longer and took it off just as he reached the stairs of his dugout.
Logan Webb and Garrett Whitlock were also captured with their medals in their hands, rather than around their necks.
This was Miller’s WBC debut, while Schwarber was on the team that lost in the 2023 final to Japan, also in Miami.
Eduardo Rodríguez, the soon-to-be 33-year-old left-hander from Venezuela, had pitched to a 5.02 ERA the past two seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but you wouldn’t believe it, the way he lived in the corners and kept Team USA off balance during his 4.1 inning start. Team USA’s offense continued to be shut out until the eighth inning, when Bryce Harper tied the game with a two-run, two-out home run.
Logan Webb of Team USA reacts after receiving a silver medal following the 3-2 loss against Team Venezuela at CreditDepot Park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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But Venezuela didn’t miss a beat in the top of the ninth inning, as Garrett Whitlock, who had had a big high-leverage role earlier in the tournament, didn’t look like his usual self. He walked to start the inning, and after Venezuela pinch-runner Javier Sanoja stole second base, Eugenio Suárez hit a changeup to left-center field for a go-ahead double to retake the lead.
Daniel Palencia was flagged in the bottom of the ninth inning for Venezuela after closing out Italy, and the Chicago Cubs agreed that this would be the only time he could pitch again.
He made the most of the opportunity, striking out Kyle Schwarber, getting Gunnar Henderson to Maikel Garcia and striking out Roman Anthony to seal an emotional victory for Venezuela.
Team USA’s Mason Miller shakes hands with manager Mark DeRosa after receiving his silver medal following the 2026 World Baseball Classic Championship presented by Capital One game between Team Venezuela and Team USA at LoanDepot Park on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Venezuela won its first World Baseball Classic title in the short history of the event, which began in 2006. For the United States, it was its second consecutive loss in the title game after winning it all in 2017.
