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Several members of Team USA seemed to want nothing to do with a runner-up finish in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
The U.S. team earned silver medals after falling to Venezuela 3-2 in the WBC final Tuesday in Miami. But soon after receiving them from MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, several players removed them.
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Kyle Schwarber of Team United States reacts after receiving a silver medal following the 3-2 loss to Team Venezuela at loanDepot park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Mason Miller could hardly wait to take off his medal before even sharing a hug with manager Mark DeRosa. Kyle Schwarber waited a little longer and took it off just as he was coming up to the steps to his dugout.
Logan Webb and Garrett Whitlock were also captured with their medals in their hands instead of 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 Rodriguez, the soon-to-be 33-year-old Venezuelan left-hander, had pitched to a 5.02 ERA over the last two seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but you wouldn’t think it the way he lived on the corners and kept Team USA off balance through his 4.1 inning start. Team USA’s offense continued to go blank until the eighth inning, when Bryce Harper tied the game with a two-out, two-run homer.
Logan Webb of Team United States reacts after receiving a silver medal following the 3-2 loss to Team Venezuela at loanDepot park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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But Venezuela didn’t skip a beat in the top of the ninth inning when Garrett Whitlock, who had been terrific in a high-leverage role earlier in the tournament, didn’t look like his usual self. He issued a walk to start the inning, and after Venezuela pinch-runner Javier Sanoja stole second base, Eugenio Suarez smashed a changeup to left-center field for a go-ahead double to retake the lead.
Daniel Palencia got the call in the bottom of the ninth for Venezuela after shutting out Italy, and the Chicago Cubs agreed that this would be the only moment he could pitch again.
He made the most of the opportunity, striking out Kyle Schwarber, getting Gunnar Henderson to pop up Maikel Garcia and striking out Roman Anthony to secure an emotional win for Venezuela.
Mason Miller of Team USA shakes hands with manager Mark DeRosa after receiving his silver medal following the 2026 World Baseball Classic Championship game presented by Capital One 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 event’s short history, which began in 2006. For the United States, it was its second straight loss in the title game after winning it all in 2017.
