Venezuela beat Team USA in the World Baseball Classic championship game on Tuesday night in a thrilling finish.
The game was pretty slow until the eighth inning, at which point Venezuela led 2–0 over the Americans. With two outs in the bottom of the eighth for Team USA, Bryce Harper stepped up to the plate and gave his team and its fans hope by crushing a two-run homer to tie the ball game. It was an iconic moment for Harper as he flipped his bat and took his time rounding the bases to really soak in the experience.
BRYCE HARPER ARE YOU SERIOUS?! 🇺🇸
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 18, 2026
His homer ties it up for USA!!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Tb7AZ8NHld
However, in the top of the ninth inning, Venezuela’s Eugenio Suárez immediately responded by hitting an RBI double to give his team the 3–2 lead. Team USA couldn’t answer back in the bottom of the ninth, resulting in Venezuela winning its first WBC title.
MORE SI: U.S. Fails to Muster Enough Offense in Loss to Venezuela
The American players understandably looked distraught in the dugout while the Venezuelan team and its fans erupted in celebrations on the field and in the stands. Team USA humbly and respectfully received their silver medals from MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, but the players were likely frustrated and emotional on the inside.
Harper, though, seemed to put any emotions he may have been feeling aside and went out of his way to congratulate his opponents. Right after receiving his silver medal, the Phillies star made a beeline to Team Venezuela and shook the hands of various players to congratulate them. He gave quite a few players, including Suárez, hugs and pats on the back. In a video posted by the World Baseball Classic on X, formerly known as Twitter, you can hear some of the Venezuelan players saying “thank you” to Harper.
Respect 🫡
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 18, 2026
Bryce Harper congratulated players from Team Venezuela following their #WorldBaseballClassic championship win 👏 pic.twitter.com/pnAdx94oi2
What a classy move by the MLB superstar.
More MLB from Sports Illustrated
- Mark DeRosa Explains Why Mason Miller Didn't Pitch in WBC Final vs. Venezuela
- Eugenio Suárez Emotionally Explains Why Team Venezuela Is So Special After WBC Win
- U.S. Fails to Muster Enough Offense in World Baseball Classic Final Loss to Venezuela
- Clayton Kershaw Shared a Sweet Moment With Son Before WBC Championship Game
- Venezuela 3, USA 2: What Went Wrong for U.S. in World Baseball Classic Final
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Bryce Harper Congratulated Team Venezuela in Classy Move After Team USA WBC Loss.
