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Venezuela Triumphs Over US in Record-Setting Baseball Final

3/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Venezuela defeated the United States in the World Baseball Classic final on March 17, 2023, drawing 10.78 million viewers.
The tournament averaged 1.29 million viewers, a 156% increase from 2023.
The final peaked at 12.15 million viewers, the most-watched baseball telecast outside the World Series since 2015.
Aaron Judge, the U.S. team captain, expressed disappointment, saying the World Baseball Classic felt bigger and better than the World Series.

History

Historical Context

The World Baseball Classic (WBC) has evolved significantly since its inception in 2006, with the 2023 tournament featuring 20 teams and drawing record viewership. The United States' victory in 2017 and Venezuela's triumph in 2023, which saw a 156% increase in viewers, highlight baseball's growing global appeal and competitiveness, reshaping its cultural significance and future tournaments.

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Story summary

Venezuela defeated the United States in the World Baseball Classic final on March 17, 2023, drawing 10.78 million viewers.
The tournament averaged 1.29 million viewers, a 156% increase from 2023.
The final peaked at 12.15 million viewers, the most-watched baseball telecast outside the World Series since 2015.
Aaron Judge, the U.S. team captain, expressed disappointment, saying the World Baseball Classic felt bigger and better than the World Series.

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