Seattle Mariners star Julio Rodriguez recently shocked MLB fans by claiming a World Baseball Classic title is his number one goal despite his MLB team’s incredible World Series drought.
Rodriguez and the Dominican Republic are one of the favorites to capture the 2026 WBC championship. However, the island nation has stiff competition from Japan, Puerto Rico and the United States.
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Some MLB fans were left surprised by Rodriguez’s latest comments heading into the 2026 MLB season. The Mariners had a fantastic 2025 campaign, but Seattle remains without a World Series title in franchise history.
Julio Rodriguez would rather win the WBC than a World Series:
“I love the Mariners. They know I give my best every single time I step on the field, but winning a World Baseball Classic would be top of the list.”
(Via @FoulTerritoryTV) pic.twitter.com/VxzzhUYTIr
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) March 13, 2026
In fact, the Mariners are the only active MLB team to never hoist the World Series championship. Despite that fact, Rodriguez still holds out hope that he can capture a World Baseball Classic title first with his native country.
“I love the Mariners,” Rodriguez said during the 2026 WBC. “They know I give my best every single time I step on the field, but winning a World Baseball Classic would be top of the list.”
Seattle has several top players featuring at the current World Baseball Classic, including Rodriguez and star catcher Cal Raleigh.
MORE: World Baseball Classic title odds, where Team USA stands
Meanwhile, the Mariners’ young center fielder will instantly become a legend in the Dominican Republic if he and his teammates can win the WBC. The island nation features a stacked lineup that includes Fernando Tatis Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Dominican Republic right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. celebrates with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Julio Rodriguez. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Dominican Republic features in the final eight teams of the competition, and they could potentially face Team USA in the semifinals with a win over South Korea.
The U.S. squad faces a familiar North American opponent, Canada, while Japan and Puerto Rico loom on the opposite side of the bracket.
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