Reds’ Eugenio Suarez Drives in Venezuela To Win World Baseball Classic

The United States fought back into the final for the World Baseball Classic down 2-0 against Venezuela, but the Venezuelan national team would go on to don the gold medals around their necks with a 3-2 victory over the U.S. Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper brought Team USA back with a two-run homer to tie the game in the eighth. In what would be the most significant game in Venezuela’s history, Cincinnati Reds’ third baseman Eugenio Suarez drove in the go-ahead RBI double in the ninth, sending reverberating cheers throughout LoanDepot Park.

After almost not making it out of pool play due to losing to Italy, the United States, just as they did in the final, kept clawing their way back, beating Canada and the formidable Dominican Republic squad to make it to the gold medal game. But similarly, Venezuela also dropped their final pool game against the Dominican Republic, sending both teams into Tuesday’s final with 5-1 records in tournament play. And while it was the third straight championship game for the U.S., Suarez and Team Venezuela brought home an impactful win for the country. Not just that, but Suarez brings back a lot of valuable traits and lessons back to his Reds’ team.

Here is the full story from Reds Roundtable writer Joey Mistretta on why Cincinnati is one of the teams who won more than just a gold medal for one of their star players.

There is certainly a debate to be had about letting star players participate in the World Baseball Classic. It’s a decision that doesn’t come without risk of injury that can carry over into the season. Players have to miss vital time during spring training -- where, in fairness, injuries can also occur. However, the leadership and high leverage playing experience these players gain is valuable while getting to represent their countries. For the Reds, they may hope that Suarez’s leadership gained with Team Venezuela will carry over to his first World Series title with the clubhouse.