The M's right-hander, who broke out in 2025, helped Team Venezuela win the World Baseball Classic title this March against the United States.
SEATTLE -- On March 17, Team Venezuela defeated the United States to win the World Baseball Classic championship in Miami. It was the first gold medal at the event for Venezuela and some players and experts called it the biggest sporting win in the history of the nation.
One of those players to help Venezuela to the title was Seattle Mariners right-handed reliever Eduard Bazardo, who gave up one earned run in 3.2 innings across the event.
Back in Seattle on Thursday for the M's season opener against the Cleveland Guardians, Bazardo talked about the win and what it meant to him, adding that he's received a lot of videos from his hometown showing how excited people were.
Venezuela pitcher Eduard Bazardo (83) throws a pitch against the United States in the sixth inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Championship game at loanDepot Park. Sam Navarro-Imagn ImagesHe also discussed the similarities and differences between pitching in the World Baseball Classic and the playoffs, where he was an integral part of the M's trip to the American League Championship Series in 2025.
"It's the same, like the effort that the people had. The energy that those guys had, the game from the Dominican was loud, like you couldn't hear the pitch coming in because in the first inning because everybody was crazy and talking a lot. And I think it's really close to the playoffs, but I think it's a little bit more amazing because you represent your country. You know, you represent Venezuela. For me, that moment, it was really amazing."
Current Mariners minor leaguer Jhonathan Diaz was also on the Venezuela roster, though he did not pitch in the event. Former M's third baseman Eugenio Suarez had the game-winning hit for Venezuela in the top of the ninth inning of the final.
Mariners' Cal Raleigh and Gabe Speier were on the losing side of things. The Americans last won the WBC in 2017.
Also in the news for the Mariners
--There were a handful of historic moments for the M's in the season-opening loss, as Brendan Donovan became the first M's player to hit a leadoff homer on Opening Day. Dominic Canzone also became the first M's player since 2005 with a multi-homer game on Opening Day.
--Seattle will take on Cleveland again on Friday night at 6:40 p.m. PT. Right-hander George Kirby will square off against Gavin Williams. The first 20,000 fans in attendance will receive a free American League West champion replica banner. The M's raised the real banner into the rafters before Thursday's game.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
Remember to join our MARINERS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Mariners fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!