If you think of big sporting events, you think of the World Cup. You think of the Super Bowl. And perhaps you don’t think of the World Baseball Classic (WBC), but you should. Consider the numbers: the 2023 tournament was broadcast in 163 different territories in 13 languages, and the average per game was 32.8 million viewers worldwide.
Those are not the only staggering numbers. In Japan alone, 100 million people watched the World Baseball Classic, and 55 million watched the end of the tournament. And it’s not just Japan. 29 million people from Japan and Mexico watched the semifinal between those two countries.
What makes the WBC so special? The tournament brings together the world’s best players to represent their home countries. It’s not just MLB (Major League Baseball) or NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball), it’s baseball. And it’s worldwide.
Edgar González, a former MLB player who represented Mexico in the 2009 and 2013 World Baseball Classics and went on to serve as manager of the Mexican national team in 2017, believes that this upcoming World Baseball Classic will be very popular, especially for our communities. And he would know, he’s now an analyst at FOX Deportes, so he’s still very much involved with the game.
“In Latin America, you do not have to explain what the World Baseball Classic is, because in countries like Venezuela, like the Dominican Republic, like Cuba, in all those countries, baseball is number one. So, everyone is waiting for this; it’s the biggest sporting event, not fútbol.”
The United States has a very good team, González pointed out. But it’s not the only team to look out for. “I think it’s already gaining a lot of momentum because the United States has a great team for this World Classic. Also, obviously, Japan, we know how powerful Japan is and all the fans they have. So, this World Classic is going to be very good, and I feel that the Dominican Republic, Japan, and the United States are the teams to beat.”
It’s not just about who’ll win, though. It’s about who you’re facing, like in every memorable sporting event. We all want to watch the Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico Game. Or the US vs Mexico. “You are representing a whole country, and when you represent a whole country, the burden is bigger than when you only represent a team. When you are representing a country, it becomes bigger, and you feel a lot of pride,” González shared. “It is one of the most beautiful experiences that I have had as a player, as a manager, and also now at Fox Deportes.”
Like the World Cup, the World Baseball Classic is a short tournament, so everything matters a lot more. “The games are very exciting, because at the end of the day, a game can define whether you move on to the next round or not. A baseball season is longer; here, it is a short season, and whoever wins, wins.”
Which means whoever loses, loses.
And González has experience. He’s played in the WBC. He’s also been a manager. And now, as an analyst, his experience is something he draws upon. But his memories of it, even when they’re bittersweet, are something he cherishes. “One day, in a baseball game, I missed a ball, and all the Mexican fans were against me for that for a while. But it’s part of baseball, and it’s the exciting thing… that it can go against you or it can go well, but in any case, that passion shows how big it is for your country.”
It’s more relaxed now as an analyst for González, that’s for sure. “When I became a manager, I had that adrenaline because you are watching the game and you are excited, you are in competition. Now, on this side, although we should not root for any team, in any way, your heart is with your team, your country. We are human, and we love to watch these games.”
And just like for us, as fans, sometimes it even feels worse. “Because you are not in control,” González laughed. “When you are playing, you are in control of what you are doing, but when you are on this side, since you do not have control, it becomes more difficult for you.”
We still watch it. Still love it. And this year, we’ll get to experience it starting Wednesday, March 4, 2026 (10 p.m. ET) and all the way up to Tuesday, March 17, 2026. The teams from Latin America participating are Colombia, Cuba, Panama, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua.
“Baseball is a sport where so many small things have to happen in your favor to win. So, it is a strategy all the time, and it is what I am thinking when I watch the game and when I am narrating it,” González also shared.
If you’re watching on Fox Deportes, you’ll be listening to his voice. But even if you aren’t, you should still be tuning in. This is international. We’re all invited to this party.
In the Zone with Lissete Lanuza Sáenz is where sports analysis meets cultural insight. I bring a unique perspective to the world of sports, blending passion with informed commentary.
Expect montly insightful analysis, exclusive interviews, and a celebration of the diverse voices shaping the sporting landscape.