NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
World Series champion Doug Mientkiewicz took issue with the coverage surrounding Team USA’s narrow victory over the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic on Monday.
The USA closed the door on the Dominican Republic in the ninth inning when Geraldo Perdomo struck out looking. The three strikes came when it appeared the ball was out of the zone and under Perdomo’s knee. Perdomo was shocked and the Dominican Republic players were unhappy with the call.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Kansas City Royals first baseman (11) Doug Mientkiewicz waits his turn to take batting practice before the game against the Chicago White Sox at US Cellular Field in Chicago on August 15, 2006. (Jerry Lai/USA TODAY Sports)
As one famous New York Yankees baseball broadcaster once said, “It’s baseball, Suzyn.”
Mientkiewicz, who won a World Series with the Boston Red Sox, suggested on social media that he wished the coverage would have centered more on the United States winning the game than the Dominican Republic losing.
“It’s a sad day when people who were born here and live in this country actually make excuses for a team to lose and hope the US doesn’t win,” he wrote on X. “You can cover the games without bias. It was a great game that showcased the best talent in the world! It had everything, it had flaws, and everything in between. That’s what makes baseball the best game in the world!”
TEAM USA’S MARK DEROSA RESPONDS TO CRITICISM OF INVITING NAVY SEAL WHO KILLED BIN LADEN TO TALK TO PLAYERS
Dominican Republic’s Geraldo Perdomo reacts after striking out in the bottom of the ninth inning in a World Baseball Classic semifinal game against the United States, Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
“To add to that, I was lucky enough to coach many of the players who represented their countries from all over the world. I wanted them ALL to succeed. Good men who play the game with passion and a true love for the game – that being said… STOP THIS THING!”
Perdomo and Juan Soto were among the Dominican Republic players frustrated with the ball.
“We showed the world who is the best team in baseball,” Soto told ESPN after the game. “That’s all I have to say.”
Perdomo added: “I knew 100% it was a ball.”
USA shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. reacts after completing a double play during the fifth inning of a World Baseball Classic semifinal game against the Dominican Republic, Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Now the United States will take on Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic final and seek its second title.
