Luis Arraez has returned to work with the San Francisco Giants after a memorable time with Venezuela at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Whatever happens to his stint with the Giants, he can always say that he’s a world champion, having helped Venezuela capture a WBC championship.
But somebody else now has Arraez’s gold medal.
On Saturday, Arraez was asked why he wasn’t flaunting his WBC gold medal, and his answer was, well, golden.
“I don’t have it. I gave it to my Mom. She’s the one who deserves it,” the 28-year-old Arraez said, via Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Regardless of who possesses Arraez’s gold medal, nothing can take away the fact that he and Venezuela ruled the baseball world in 2026. They finished second in Pool D with a 3-1 record, with their only loss coming at the hands of the Dominican Republic.
In the quarterfinals, Venezuela knocked out the then-reigning champions, Japan, before beating Italy in the semifinals.
In the championship game, Venezuela took down Team USA, 3-2.
Throughout the tournament, Arraez hit .308/.367/.692 with 2 home runs and 10 RBIs in seven games. Signed by the Giants to a 1-year, $12 million contract in February, the three-time All-Star Arraez now looks to help San Francisco end a World Series drought.
