This is what international sports is supposed to look like.
The streets of Caracas and cities across Venezuela erupted in celebration after their national team defeated the United States to win the World Baseball Classic. The scenes were absolute bedlam - fireworks, dancing in the streets, pure unbridled joy.
You can watch all the highlight reels you want of the actual game. But if you really want to understand what this tournament means, watch the celebration videos coming out of Venezuela. Massive crowds. People crying. Strangers hugging. The whole country united in a moment of sporting glory.
Ronald Acuña Jr. was shown celebrating alone via video call from the clubhouse, watching his home country going absolutely crazy. That image tells you everything you need to know about what this means to players from smaller baseball nations.
Derek Jeter famously said the World Baseball Classic isn't bigger than the World Series, and for American players, he's probably right. But you know what? For Venezuela, for Japan, for the Dominican Republic - it absolutely is bigger. And that's beautiful.
There's no MLB team called "Venezuela." There's no championship parade down the streets of Caracas when Acuña has a great season with the Atlanta Braves. The World Baseball Classic is the one time these countries get to rally behind their players and celebrate as a nation.
For Venezuela, this is their World Cup. This is their Olympics. This is their Super Bowl. And they just beat the mighty - the birthplace of baseball, the country with all the resources and all the MLB stars - to win it all.
