SI:AM | Venezuela’s Joyful Triumph

If the U.S. is looking for something to change before the next World Baseball Classic, maybe it should try having fun like the rest of the teams.

DAN GARTLAND Good morning, I'm Dan Gartland. I'm bummed that the World Baseball Classic is over, but I'm glad there won't be another baseball game important enough for me to subject myself to John Smoltz's commentary until October.  In today's SI:AM: 🇻🇪 Venezuela takes WBC crown 🇺🇸 Team USA offense falls flat 🏀 All 68 men's tournament teams, ranked Historic win for Venezuela Sam Navarro/Imagn Images I wasn't rooting against Team USA in last night's World Baseball Classic final, but I wasn't exactly broken up when Venezuela won.  Venezuela was the more entertaining team and better encapsulated what makes the WBC special by showcasing the country's joyful, passionate baseball culture. The tens of thousands of Venezuelan fans who packed the stands in Miami for the knockout rounds were key to making the viewers at home feel the magnitude of what was at stake. It's unnatural to get deeply invested in a baseball game in mid-March, but it was impossible not to when you heard how much the fans cared.  Give the U.S. fans credit, though. They erupted when Bryce Harper crushed a no-doubt homer to dead center to tie the game at 2–2 in the bottom of the eighth. Harper was amped up, too, judging by the way he launched the biggest bat flip of his career as the ball soared over the fence.  But the scene after Daniel Palencia struck out Roman Anthony to seal the win was more compelling than any celebration that would have followed a U.S. victory. Many Venezuelan players had tears in their eyes. They crouched on the ground for an impassioned celebratory speech by team captain Salvador Perez. The fans danced in the stands while waving the country's flag.  CONTINUE DAN'S COLUMN ON SI The best of Sports Illustrated Tom Verducci goes inside Venezuela's WBC championship win. From negotiating with MLB teams for reliever usage to a crucial mound meeting while pitching against Aaron Judge, the South American team united when a nation needed it most.  The Americans' bats went quiet at the worst time in Team USA's loss in the WBC final, Stephanie Apstein writes. Pat Forde reveals his rankings of all 68 teams in the men's NCAA tournament.  The SI women's basketball staff breaks down who the best 68 players are in the bracket. Chris Mannix analyzes LeBron James's changing role on the Lakers, the Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown debate and whether the NBA will shorten its season. After the Dolphins traded receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos, Conor Orr says new quarterback Malik Willis could be stuck with the league's worst roster. Get the print edition of Sports Illustrated delivered to your door. CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE! Dylan Buell/Getty Images 👀 The top five ... … things I saw last night:  5. Blackhawks defenseman Louis Crevier's goal on the fastest slapshot of the season (102 mph).  4. A nifty reverse dunk by the Heat's Keshad Johnson.  3. LaMelo Ball's preposterous shot while falling to the floor.  2. A tough shot by Howard's Bryce Harris to beat the shot clock and extend the Bison's late in their First Four game against UMBC. It was Howard's first NCAA tournament win in school history.  1. Tramon Mark's last-second game-winner for Texas against NC State in the First Four.  The best of SI Video SI TV goes marching into the NCAA Tournament with the release of parts three and four of the docuseries that chronicles the journey of coach Pat Kelsey and the Louisville men's basketball program.  Join the SI College Basketball Newsletter SI's college basketball newsletter delivers insider reporting and can't-miss stories on the biggest moments from across the country. From weekly previews to in-depth features, it's your essential guide to staying ahead in the world of NCAA hoops. CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE W We may receive compensation for some links to products and services included in this email. Sports Publishing Solutions Inc. 625 Broadway, 10th floor New York, NY. 10012 You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to the SI:AM newsletter. You can unsubscribe here  . Privacy Policy – Terms & Conditions © 2026 Sports Publishing Solutions Inc. All rights reserved. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. All betting and gambling content included in the SI:AM newsletter is intended for individuals 21+ (18+ in DC, KY, NH, RI, and WY). Betting and gambling content, including picks and predictions, are based on individual commentators' opinions and we do not guarantee any success or profits. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER or texting 800GAM. Click this link to view the newsletter in your browser.