Team USA may have to treat Vinnie Pasquantino to a fancy steak dinner.
Pasquantino put together a memorable World Baseball Classic performance for Italy on Wednesday, as he powered them to a 9-1 victory over Mexico at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas, to finish Pool B play with an immaculate 4-0 record.
With Italy’s drubbing of Mexico, the need for math to settle what would have been a tie atop the standings between Italy, Mexico and Team USA was effectively nixed.
Pasquantino, who plays for the Kansas City Royals in the big leagues, topped his three-homer night with a big message for his Royals teammate Bobby Witt Jr. and the rest of Team USA.
“You’re welcome, USA. We were thinking of you guys,” Pasquantino said in the postgame interview.
Vinnie Pasquantino: "You're welcome, USA" pic.twitter.com/3UoQVGuITc
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 12, 2026
Meanwhile, Team USA and San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb later saw Pasquantino’s interview and responded accordingly, posting a mere “laughing with tears” emoji.
It was a harmless response from Webb, who must have let out a big sigh of relief after Italy took care of business.
Team USA’s 8-6 upset loss to Italy on Tuesday left them in the predicament they faced on Wednesday, with manager Mark DeRosa mistakenly thinking his squad had already booked a ticket to the next round before they even faced Pasquantino and company.
Team USA will next face Canada in the quarterfinal round on Friday at Daikin Park, while Italy takes on Puerto Rico in the same round and at the same venue on Saturday.
