MIAMI — In a stunning display of skill and cultural flair, Italy’s national baseball team has carved its name into World Baseball Classic history, securing an unprecedented semifinal berth after defeating Puerto Rico. The team’s remarkable 5-0 run has been powered by dominant pitching performances and celebrated with distinctive Italian traditions that have captured international attention.
Right-hander Dylan DeLucia delivered a masterclass on the mound, pitching four scoreless innings that cemented Italy’s advancement. The victory sparked an overwhelming response that left the pitcher scrambling to manage a flood of multilingual congratulations. “I opened my phone after the game to like 60 DMs and it was in words… I didn’t know how to say,” DeLucia recounted. “So definitely going to have to do some Google translate, for sure.”
The team’s celebration rituals have become as noteworthy as their performance. Each home run is commemorated with shots of espresso from a Lavazza Classy Mini machine, operated by team captain Vinnie Pasquantino, who also bestows traditional kisses on both cheeks of home-run hitters. Following victories, players receive premium Italian wines curated by New York Yankees publicist Jason Zillo, with selections ranging from Francesco Rinaldi Barolo to Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico.
Despite baseball’s minority status in the soccer-dominated nation, the team’s success has generated significant attention in Italian media. La Gazzetta Sportiva featured the accomplishment with the headline “CHE ITALIA” and “Altra impresa” (What an Italy… another feat). Team manager Francisco Cervelli, a former MLB catcher who moved to Florence last year, noted the growing excitement: “In the south of Italy they don’t play that much baseball and yesterday everyone was watching the game.”
The roster presents an interesting composition, with only three players born in Italy: Sam Aldegheri of the Los Angeles Angels, and Italian Serie A pitchers Gabriele Quattrini and Claudio Scotti. The remainder consists of Italian-eligible talent including Philadelphia All-Star pitcher Aaron Nola and Kansas City first baseman Pasquantino, who qualified through his great-grandfather’s heritage.
Italy now faces Venezuela for a chance to advance to the championship against either the United States or the Dominican Republic, carrying both their exceptional record and unique cultural traditions into the critical matchup.