Under the relentless South Florida rain, Venezuela’s 4-2 victory over Italy on Monday night (16 March 2026) didn’t just propel them to their first-ever World Baseball Classic final, it highlighted a deep-rooted connection to the Dominican Republic that has fueled this historic run. The grit and “winter ball” style of play that manager Omar López credited for the comeback is a hallmark of the training they received in Dominican professional environments.
While the fans at loanDepot park celebrated a purely Venezuelan triumph, the “Dominican angle” is woven into the very fabric of their 2026 coaching staff and player development.
Dominican influence on the bench
The Venezuelan staff features two prominent figures with direct ties to the Dominican Republic:
Miguel Cabrera: The legendary slugger serves as the team’s hitting coach. Cabrera, while a Venezuelan icon, has long-standing ties to the Dominican baseball community, often training and collaborating with Dominican stars throughout his career.
Johan Santana: The two-time Cy Young winner serves as the pitching coach.
Adding to the Dominican connection, the staff also benefits from the presence of Carlos García (first base coach) and Ramón Hernández (bullpen coach), who have extensive experience managing and coaching in the Dominican Winter League (LIDOM).
The “Dominican Academy” pipeline
Beyond the coaching staff, the victory over Italy also showcased a roster largely “Made in the DR.” Due to the historical infrastructure of MLB academies in the Dominican Republic, a significant portion of the Venezuelan roster began their professional journeys on Dominican soil. Venezuelan team stars like Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves), Luis Arráez (Padres), and Jackson Chourio (Brewers) spent their formative teenage years at complexes in Boca Chica and Guerra.
For these players, the Dominican Republic was the bridge between their homes in Venezuela and the Major Leagues.
Venezuela-Italy game summary: The late-inning rally
The game itself was a testament to the resilience often seen in Caribbean baseball. Venezuela trailed 2-1 until a two-out surge in the 7th inning:
- Jackson Chourio (who trained at the Brewers’ Dominican academy) singled to put runners on the corners.
- Ronald Acuña Jr. (a product of the Braves’ DR complex) delivered a clutch RBI single to tie the game.
- Maikel García and Luis Arráez followed with back-to-back hits to secure the 4-2 lead.
Reliever Anthony Zerpa earned the win, while Daniel Palencia, another hard-thrower who honed his skills in Dominican developmental leagues, shut the door in the 9th.
Venezuela now moves on to face Team USA in the championship game tonight, Tuesday, 17 March 2026.
Read more:
WBC
17 March 2026