Venezuela STUNS World Baseball Classic Fans as Tournament Popularity SKYROCKETS

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The WVC is over and it was a success, so let's put a bow on it.

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On today's show, we'll close the week with baseball trivia and name that were then

discussed the race, possibly adding shortstop depth with a veteran, but we'll start with

the World Baseball Classic only continuing to grow in popularity.

Kevin, the WVC is getting bigger and better every single time.

I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed the World Baseball Classic since its inception,

but something called the Jersey you're wearing and the hat you're wearing that you are still

through the moon on Venezuela winning its first World Baseball

Classic.

First but not last, something tells me that in the future they'll have a couple more titles

to their name.

They just have some competition with Japan and a couple other countries as well.

Yeah, Japan has three in the bag, DR, USA and now Venezuela has one as well.

It's the race to get to Japan with three.

The other three countries just have their only one, but no.

It was an incredible event.

It always has been, but it does seem that every single time it gets bigger, it gets better.

More people are aware of it.

The players seem to be more bought in, especially from the US side.

I think that they're starting to really enjoy it and see the importance of it, and I got

to tell you, man, yeah, like you're saying, I haven't stopped being on Cloud 9 since

that last strike out from Palencia to Roman Anthony.

Yeah.

It was really something.

I did not watch the entire game, but I did promise and stick to my promise that I would

catch a couple of Lenin's in the introduction, and I was blown away by the excitement and

fanfare, the mostly pro Venezuelan fan base, and when you look, whether you're at the stadium

Lone Depot Park during the World Baseball Classic or you're watching on television, you

have a true understanding why MLB methodically has Miami as one of the sites for the World

Baseball Classic.

I mean, not saying that Tampa or Tampa Bay isn't diverse, but I think in comparison to Miami

and capturing that Latin love, if you will, between Dominican Republic and Venezuela and

some of the other countries that are involved.

I mean, it's kind of a no brainer to have it at Lone Depot Park in Miami.

Maybe the race might have something to say about that in the future, but it was just

an electric, electric environment, and I guess for your sake, for Venezuela's sake, it's

good that the World Baseball Classic isn't every year.

It's every three years, because Japan would probably have a lot more titles, which show

Hey, Otoni playing each and every year, but the fact that you space it out every three

years, Otoni, you know, may only get a couple more bites at the Apple before he calls it

quits.

So I guess you got that working in your favor, but it was, I mean, great story lines

from the bracket and the upsets and then the final game between the US and Venezuela.

But I think ultimately, I know it's cliche to say, but isn't there a sense that Venezuela

just wanted it more?

I mean, there was just a little bit more passion and enthusiasm for putting that country's

Jersey on and putting the hat on and repping where you're from.

Whereas I feel like, you know, not saying this is the case with every USA player, but you

know, they're doing it as a courtesy and it's a little bit different than, you know,

compared to some of these other countries that are participating.

I think, you know, a Terrick's school ball quote came out, which got me floored because

not a single Japanese Dominican, Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Venezuelan player would

ever say Terrick's school ball after his pitching performance said, yeah, I was, I kind

of, you know, paraphrasing here.

Right.

Yeah, I kind of came in here thinking it was going to be an all star vibes and it was so

much more than that.

You mean all star vibes, again, that literally does not matter.

That's what you thought it was going in.

And then when you take that quote and then now you look at the celebration from Eugenio

Suarez and how he was so emotional because we all were Eugenio Suarez in that moment.

Yeah.

I have to agree with you.

There is a certain, a distinct difference in how some US players still don't really recognize

having really immersed themselves into the tournament.

I think you hit it on the nail on one of the factors on the solo web that you had where

you mentioned, hey, it's still young, like 20 years, nothing in the baseball DNA.

These things take time to kind of assimilate and getting to our baseball lexicon.

And I think, you know, it's getting there, but it's maybe not quite there.

I also, you know, I agree maybe the American sports fan might be focused on March madness,

for example.

Maybe that's something that can take away from it.

But I can tell you every other country, this is the World Cup.

This is the biggest thing that we're waiting for every three to four years because this

is when we say world champions, you know, like when somebody says, oh, the Kansas City

Chiefs are the world champions.

I'm like, yeah, they really bit Zimbabwe.

They kicked the heck out of Mongolia, the Kansas City Chiefs.

In fairness, though, in fairness, American football would wax the floor with any other

country, 100%.

But I get your point.

I get your point.

Yeah.

This is like, oh, countries were involved.

This is the world.

And so like, yeah, the world baseball classic is such a fun thing.

And you mentioned, thank God it's not every year.

You know why?

Also, thank God it's not every year because we get bargain rights for the next four years.

Exactly.

We are the champions and that's pretty sweet.

Yeah.

And, you know, as far as the popularity goes, viewership, there was a viewership record with

over 7.3 million viewers in Sunday's semi-final showdown between the US and the Dominican

Republic.

And I really think that's part of it is MLB and MLBPA and all the parties, the stakeholders

need to do their best.

Just get the product in front of the average American Joe that, you know, watches baseball

or is a baseball fan.

Once they set eyes on it, they see just how, how much more of a cool factor it has.

And also, to your point, it being a young event, just like with the race where people

crap on the race, oh, they don't have a fan base and, you know, nobody supports them.

Yeah, because we're, you know, young.

We don't have 27 rings because we haven't been around for 27 years.

It takes generations to build something sometimes.

So you have to let it marinate for a little bit to really have that, to set it in stone

as something that's important in signature and worthwhile.

Now, as far as Venezuela, waiting this year, congratulations again to, thank you.

This isn't only Ulysses, he is the figurehead for Venezuelan baseball.

I mean, you're probably walking around Ibor City wearing that outfit, people like you

or a player maybe.

But I think, you know, we, we joked about Shoei Otani in Japan winning all the titles

and DR winning the title and USA winning the title.

If we look at it realistically, it was, whether it was this year or three years or six

years from now, it was only a matter of time before Venezuela would win a title because

you think about how much the country is represented in MLB.

I mean, it's, it's up there.

Yes, everybody's going to talk about Dominican Republic.

And after that, it's, well, US born players, Dominican Republic and then Venezuelans.

I mean, it's, it's that big and sometimes I, I feel like people don't really realize or

understand just how many Venezuelans there are in MLB present.

Yeah, it's the third most after, like you said, the US and the DR.

And also, there's also the whole human narrative, the story of the, the turmoil that Venezuela

has had in the last almost three decades.

I'd like, this is like, this is, you know, when you, when you push it down and you push

it down and you push down and you push down all your emotions for, you bottle them up

and then just finally such a great happiness happens to the country.

I mean, if something to cheer for now, it's something to cheer for finally.

And it seems like 2026 we're heading in the right way, man.

And as a people with it, this is something that we have wanted for so long and, and we

have always thought that we had fallen shorts, but now we can actually say that we are with

the other three champions and, and we are a champion as well.

You can be proud to represent the country and this instance, this most recent instance

of the World Baseball Classic.

So there it is.

We put a bow on the WBC, come back to us in a couple years.

And, you know, the other thing too is just, it's cool to see a handful or so many

rays representing the other countries, which I think will continue to be a trend because

the rays have traditionally been one of the more diverse MLB teams.

I mean, usually there's like a roster breakdown that says, hey, we got, you know, 12

guys from different countries and that's kind of a cool moment to think about as well.

And speaking of the rays, the team might want to consider some veteran help at short

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The race could benefit by adding one more veteran

after the recent injury to Taylor Walls.

Ulysses, this is a topic that we're going to banter about and discuss because again,

Taylor Walls is out of pocket for God knows how long with that oblique injury.

Theoretically, Ben Williamson can step in.

Theoretically Carson Williams can step in.

As we were talking about on Thursday's show, is it really the right time

to just give Carson Williams that opportunity because Taylor Walls is injured?

You would think there's a lane or an avenue to pick up some free agent, some guy that's been

there done that to at least hold the fort until Taylor Walls comes back or if Taylor Walls

unfortunately misses the entire season, you got this backup veteran paired with Ben Williamson

until Carson Williams gets his strikeout in contact struggles situated in AAA.

Yeah, I think definitely there's a guy I'm thinking that could do this and that's Jose

Yes, free agent, the 36 year old, obviously did not have such a great season in 2025,

but he is a year moved from a 2.5 F4 season. Let's start with the negatives. He hasn't been in camp,

so it's not like you can sign him and boom, he's your opening day roster, you know,

shortstop. He's not a short-term solution right there, more of a solid death piece in the organization.

However, I'll note he's always been noted as a tremendous clubhouse guy. There is a lot of youth

in the race roster. He is a professional more than a dozen years in the league. I think he was

his rookie year, we were still in college, man. That's how long it's been in the show, so I feel like

he's a Swiss army guy, can play second, can play short, can play third. I think he even played left

field last year as well. So I think with Carson Williams, you need to let him cook in AAA. You

have already made the decision to send him down. It just feels kind of empty to say, oh no, actually,

okay, yeah, you're ready. Come on. You're awarding him based on an injury to Taylor Walls,

which he hasn't really earned the right. I mean, if he was, look, I understand the spring-training

numbers and all that, but if you really, truly felt he was ready, you wouldn't have sent him down.

And I know there was the issue or the concern of, well, if he gets hurt while he's in spring camp,

then we'll have to pay him like a major leagueer because he's on the 40-man, but I don't buy it.

I think it's, no, there's still some more work that needs to be figured out at AAA with Jacob

Melton. Yeah, exactly. Both of these guys are in the same trajectory. Just get a little bit

better, tighten it up and try to play before we actually, you earn the call. But with Jose

Galicia, I feel like this is a guy that would be such great role model for that infield of young

guys, Williamson, Caminero, Aranda. I think those three guys would be so good to have him and let's

say they actually share a locker room because of this or because of that. Carson Williams himself,

right? Such a great target for Jose Galicia's to let him know, you know, he's a guy that's been

there for a dozen years. Again, I understand that some people might say, look, the office is basically

the same as Taylor Walls. Look, he will strike out less than Taylor Walls. He will walk a little

bit less than Taylor Walls. But I feel like the point of this is more organizational depth, a guy

that is apparently such a good clubhouse person to have. And as a veteran, you want these young guys

to have that. That's why the Freilies and the Mullins and the Nick Martinez were brought in.

Add one more of these guys. He's just an older version of them, which it seems like he still has a

little bit left in the tank based on what he's done recently. And at the very end of the day,

it's not that huge of an investment. I mean, you throw him a one year deal for, you know,

a million two and throw in some incentives on top of that. That's nothing for, again,

the mentorship and guidance and depth piece plus, you mentioned the Swiss Army knife factor.

I'm sure he could teach Richie Palacios a little something, something. Hey, you want to play left

field? You want to play second base? You want to get a third baseman? He could probably

get into the mindset of the guys that are trying to be utility and learn multiple positions.

And I know, yes, it would not be a sexy signing, but it's just a, it's a bridge signing until Taylor

Walsh is hopefully healthy and or Carson Williams is ready to be in the show.

Have to play this Durham shuffle. And as far as, look, a Glacias hasn't been in spring camp,

and he might be a little out of shape or behind. Okay, that's fine. But he's been, he's been a

major leader for a decade. I think I don't think he needs, you know, a 40 day tune up

to step right into the major leagues. I mean, maybe a couple of bats in in AAA. It's like,

all right, I'm good to go coach. And then you roll the dice with him and and see what's what.

And if not, and we're not, I don't think we're necessarily married to Jose Glacias, but no,

I think it's something of that caliber. I mean, maybe it's in trade. A guy who, you know,

was a non-rosker invite to use got, you know, four years of major league experience as a shortstop.

You kick the tires on somebody like that. We're not building the rays of 2030 over Jose

Glacias. I think we need to make that serious. This is just a bandaid. This is a, you know who this could

be a Travis Genkowski. Yes, that's the move. I need a bandaid. I need something to hold me over.

Hey, I'm not going to be home till 8 p.m. I'm real hungry. Let me get that protein bar. That's

Jose Glacias. I'm not going to stop by the drive through and get that junk food. I'm not going

to stop. You know, I know I'm going to get dinner at 8 at home. Yeah. Let me get that protein bar.

That's the situation here. Jose Glacias fits that mold perfectly because he gives you so many

things outside of the role that I think would be perfect for the context of where we are in the

roster construction. Could the race surprise people and and and and get into playoffs? Yes, but

if we're all honest with ourselves, it probably won't happen statistically speaking. It probably

won't happen. So what do you need to do? You need to play the young guys and see what they have.

If you need to play the young guys, wouldn't they need to have some veterans around them so they

know what to do? What to expect? How to learn to be a big leader? This is one of them.

Put it in the comments. Should the race go out and acquire some sort of veteran Allah

Jose Glacias again to reiterate, we're not saying, hey, you have to sign Jose Glacias. I mean,

he seems like kind of he's the more available and more realistic option, but something of that

ill to that effect that probably put up Taylor Wall's offense, maybe a little bit better.

That's kind of on his last leg, but he's that protein bar until your late night dinner is ready.

I really hope that nickname gets added to his B ref page. That would be that would be amazing

if we could figure that out. So there it is. We'll wait and see. I mean, it's this is a fluid

situation. The rays have what a week until opening day. So I mean, if this is the direction,

I would think they would want to try to get somebody signed by today or tomorrow or this weekend.

They may get them a couple of bats and spring training and then all right, here's your spot.

Here's your opportunity. Here's your shot and then go from there. All right. We will now close out

a fun Friday episode with baseball trivia and name that war.

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Thank you for listening to the Lockdown raised podcast and making us your first listen of

the day we appreciate it. We are of course part of the Lockdown podcast network number one sports

podcast network in the land and we will close out this episode with baseball trivia and name

that war you list is my trivia question is on brand for all a shortstop talk in front of me as a

list of 13 actually wait I miscounted 14 names 14 individuals most of which are Hall of Famers

at the shortstop position they may have played other positions later on in their career but

they accumulated a lot a lot a lot of war as shortstop so in front of me I have 14 individuals

who accumulated at least 70 career war at the predominantly shortstop position again later on

in their career they might have played another position or two may have been a third basement may

have been a DH first basement who knows that's for you to determine and try to figure out but out of

these 14 names I want you to give me four of them give me four of these amazing mostly Hall of Fam

short stops Alex Rodriguez he is not in the Hall of Fame but he is on this list and he is number two

in the career war category according to this list 117.4

dally man yep the one where we hated him so with with and without performance enhancers he was

an amazing player he didn't need him he didn't need him um calrypkin junior calrypkin junior is

numero three on this list with 95.9 war honest Wagner honest Wagner is a good guess and he is

the clubhouse leader number one and he's in the Hall of Fame with 131 or yeah 131.1 war

okay okay boys we've done really well

got a rod ripkin and Wagner okay so 70 so I mean these guys are like elite of the elite I mean

they have to be Hall of Famers pretty much everybody's a Hall of Famer but two and a rods one

of the two Derek Jeter Derek Jeter is your guess on this list yes okay uh Derek Jeter is correct

number 13 on this list with 71.3 war kind of remarkable to think that Jeter and a rod we're playing

next to each other so that's x number of years I mean really seriously so yeah very good you got

for the folder that I asked I asked for four of the 14 I'll give you the list from top to bottom

on his Wagner Alex Rodriguez calrypkin junior archivon George Davis Robin Yunt Luke Apolline

Ernie Banks Ozzie Smith Alan Tremel Bill Dolan not in the Hall of Fame

Barry Larkin Derek Jeter Bobby Wallace and that's the list okay not not too bad not too shabby okay

you know would you have gotten all of these names like that that was a fun one you mean if you

if you asked the question to me yeah yeah I always forget about Ernie Banks but he is yeah well I

probably would have guessed a rod before Ripkin like you did I definitely would have had Jeter in there

would have had Larkin in there Ozzie Smith I mean I don't think I would have guessed Honest Wagner

like you did yeah Honest I'm happy about that one yeah it's all a job nice nice nice well today

we're gonna play a name that war which is when we take a player from the pass and we try to guess

their career war according to baseball reference and today's player from the pass Kevin you know

him you love him he is team USA's manager Mark Rosa what is his career war according to baseball

reference very good name that war candidate I believe he's also on MLB Network in addition to

coaching he'll be teammates with Kevin Kiermeier evidently yeah Derosa I remember him mostly in a

Cubs uniform I'm gonna say he played a good at least 12 years in the league maybe a one time or

two time all star he was definitely overshadowed in the steroid era but I recall him I think he

was an infielder I recall him putting up like 275 batting average 12 to 17 home runs driving in 60 to

65 guys might get you a 10 to 15 stolen bases bottle all that up roll all that up and I will say his

career baseball reference war Mark Derosa 18.4 he has a career slash on of 268 344 12 that's

good enough for a 751 OPS or 95 OPS plus he has a very cool home run mark which is that he got to

100 on the dot nobody can take away that from him he's a triple digit guy he was not an all

certain he played for 16 years kev you bottle all that up and he has a career war of 10.6 man I

really thought it would have been higher especially the fact that you brought up he meant he played 16

years I guess I was a little Ram Bunches on the home runs I would have thought that you know playing

16 years you would have 150 160 but no I guess he he did not wow but I was as good on the average

I mean the average I think I got pretty much right when you said when you said RBI is all he's

probably into between 60 and 65 he literally is an averaging 64 so really a good there man thank

you actually I'm looking I'm looking at his we'll wrap up in a second his 162 game average

an average of 13 home runs 64 RBI 268 batting average so I was pretty close you were on him yeah

you know but anyway good question sorry mark I thought you were better than what you actually

were I don't I don't know what else to say but still very successful career anybody that can play

16 years in the bigs whether you're a full-time player or part-time player hats off to you yes and on

that note we want to thank you for listening to the program and want to remind you to be one of

the first to join the everyday club to get your favorite at free and exclusive access to members

only discord stay safe and we will talk to you next week

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