Eugenio Suárez’s triumphant gesture, arms stretched skyward on second base, will be etched in World Baseball Classic lore. His clutch RBI double in the ninth inning sealed Venezuela's thrilling 3-2 victory over Team USA, earning them their first WBC championship. But let’s not overlook the pivotal role played by Marlins utility man Javier Sanoja.
Sanoja, pinch-running for Luis Arraez after a leadoff walk, made a daring sprint from first base at loanDepot park in Miami. On a 1-1 count, he narrowly beat the throw from American catcher Will Smith.
The throw was on target but took an unfortunate hop on second baseman Brice Turang, allowing Sanoja to safely plant his right foot on the bag. Team USA challenged the call, but the video review confirmed Sanoja’s steal.
Just four pitches later, Sanoja dashed home as Suárez connected on a Garrett Whitlock changeup, sending it rocketing at 100.1 mph into left-center for a double. That hit was the game-changer.
“He’s amazing,” Arraez said post-game. “Sanoja ... enjoys the game. This game’s hard, but he makes it easy.”
Manager Omar López took a bold gamble with Sanoja’s steal-the only stolen base attempt in the ninth inning or later among all six WBC finals. It brought to mind Dave Roberts’ iconic 2004 ALCS steal that sparked the Red Sox’s comeback against the Yankees.
Sanoja, who had a modest 6-for-11 record on stolen bases in his 2025 rookie season, showed that Venezuela was playing with nothing to lose. With a 67th percentile sprint speed, Sanoja might not have scored from first on Suárez’s double, making his steal even more crucial.
This dramatic moment came right after Team USA seemed to seize control in the eighth inning, thanks to Bryce Harper’s two-out, two-run homer into center field.
“The important thing was that we got back in the dugout, got together and lifted each other up again to keep going to do what we did,” Sanoja told the Miami Herald.
In the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Sanoja appeared in just three games but made them count. He logged three hits, including a home run, and delivered the decisive stolen base that led to the game-winning run.
As Sanoja crossed home plate, arms wide, he leaped into a jubilant pile of teammates, celebrated by a sea of Venezuelan fans. It was a moment of pure joy and a testament to Venezuela's resilience and daring on the world stage.