FORT MYERS, Fla. – Willson Contreras strolled back into the Fenway South complex on Thursday, sporting a grin as wide as the Venezuelan flag on his new hat, which proudly declared, “WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC ‘26 CHAMPIONS.” It was a moment that summed up the joy of a Red Sox cleanup hitter who just added a WBC title to his résumé.
Roman Anthony, the Red Sox’s promising 21-year-old, soon followed, sharing heartfelt embraces with teammates he hadn’t seen in weeks. Though Team USA fell just short against Venezuela in the final, the experience was unforgettable for Anthony.
Meanwhile, Wilyer Abreu, typically flying under the radar, found himself at the center of attention. His unofficial title?
Venezuela’s home run hero. Just days after a challenging outing against Japan, lefty Ranger Suarez was back on the mound, this time in a much quieter setting at JetBlue Park.
“I pitched in front of 30-35,000 people,” Suarez noted. “Today, it was 13. But it’s about getting the work in.”
Garrett Whitlock, another Red Sox player from the WBC finals, was eager to get back on the mound after being on the hook for the loss in that epic game against Venezuela.
The clubhouse was buzzing with stories, and here are a few that stood out.
ABREU’S FLAIR FOR THE DRAMATIC
Wilyer Abreu, already a two-time Gold Glove winner, let his emotions fly when he hit a solo homer against Team USA, his helmet soaring off as he rounded second.
“To be honest, that feeling is indescribable,” Abreu shared. “There’s nothing like it.”
Playing for a country in turmoil, Abreu was laser-focused, determined to bring joy to Venezuelans.
“The concentration was different because we were playing for Venezuela,” he said. “We had to be locked in, 1,000 percent.”
ANTHONY SOAKED IT IN LIKE A SPONGE
Anthony hit crucial homers for Team USA, but it was the camaraderie with the game’s stars that left a lasting impact.
“Watching them, seeing what makes them great, it’s clear why they are who they are,” Anthony said. “The off-the-field stuff, hanging out, those are the memories I’ll cherish.”
Anthony and his teammates lingered in the clubhouse, savoring every moment.
“As the young guy, I tried to soak in every last moment,” he added. “We stayed after games, enjoyed each other’s company, got dinners. It was amazing.”
BEST CHEERLEADER IN WBC
Contreras, Boston’s starting first baseman, had limited at-bats due to the stellar play of teammates like Luis Arraez and Gleyber Torres. But instead of disappointment, Contreras embraced his role, thrilled to play alongside his brother William for the first time.
“It was for Venezuela, not about me,” Contreras said. “I’m proud of the team and the family we created.”
Having played in the 2016 World Series, Contreras found the WBC even more meaningful.
“Playing for your country, for 37 million people, means so much more,” he said. “I enjoyed every second of it.”
In the end, the stories from the WBC were about more than just baseball-they were about pride, camaraderie, and unforgettable experiences.
