AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
Quatraro says he may consider an espresso machine if it brings three‑homer nights.Vinnie Pasquantino helped spark Italy and helped originate the homer espresso celebration.Tradition: homers earn a suit jacket, a coffee shot, and the player’s number on machine.
Could the Kansas City Royals be in the market for an espresso machine? It’s something that manager Matt Quatraro just might consider.
Quatraro appeared on the “Jim Rome Show” to discuss the upcoming season and, among other topics, multiple Royals starring in the World Baseball Classic. He was proud of his players and seemed intrigued by the coffee-filled fun Team Italy is having.
Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino spearheads the Italian squad. He is the team captain and has Royals teammate Jac Caglianone alongside him. Italy has become the WBC darlings after finishing undefeated in Pool B play.
And the dugout espresso machine has become a major hit. Pasquantino — who made history with three homers against Mexico — orchestrated the whole ordeal, and now there is interest in bringing the dugout celebration to Kansas City.
“If that is what it takes, we’ll put whatever kind of machine we need in the dugout,” Quatraro said during the appearance. “If we are going to get three-homer nights from guys and that’s the key to it. Yeah, you know, that’s funny. I have been asked a few times already about the espresso shots and stuff. Hey, like Vinnie said, as many as they need, they’ll keep buying them to get them through this tournament.”
Pasquantino admitted he was “beaned up” after leading Italy to a 9-1 victory over Mexico on Wednesday night. Italy advanced to the WBC quarterfinals and will face Puerto Rico in the next round.
It will be a key game. Italy will face Royals starter Seth Lugo — who will take the mound for Puerto Rico — in the quarterfinals.
Italy will have the espresso machine at the ready. Pasquantino helped come up with the idea, and it’s taken a life of its own.
Here’s how it works.
Whenever a player hits a homer, they get to wear a suit jacket and are served a coffee shot. Additionally, their uniform number goes on the espresso machine.
So, Pasquantino has had his No. 9 added three times and Caglianone had his No. 14 on the machine as well.
“It kind of blew up in 2023 just from having it in there,” Pasquantino told reporters earlier in the tournament. “So I knew people would be interested in it just because they were interested in all the celebrations. I think it kind of comedically worked out that they were too hot the first day. So people were spitting them out. Now it’s like: What are they drinking?
“But it is just coffee. I’m not spiking it with anything other than coffee. So it was just too hot. We made an adjustment, and we did better two days ago. It’s spring training for everybody, right?”
Italy is off to a hot start in the WBC. The team defeated the United States in pool play and is playing with a lot of confidence. Pasquantino has become a WBC standout and is hopeful to build momentum for the regular season.
For now, Pasquantino aims to help Italy win the tournament. And Quatraro — alongside many Royals fans — is excited to see how each Royals representative fares for their home country in the quarterfinals.
“We are so proud of them all,” Quatraro said. “We’ve got guys on a bunch of different teams in the WBC and they’ve all been performing. It’s been really cool for us, and it’s nothing better as a manager than just getting to brag on your guys when you see them do stuff like that.”
Related Stories from Kansas City Star
The Kansas City Star
Jaylon Thompson covers the Royals for The Kansas City Star. He previously covered the 2021 World Series and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.