Pride, joy, tears and goosebumps. Ezequiel Tovar felt all of that on Tuesday night when Venezuela beat Team USA to win the World Baseball Classic in Miami.
After a 3-2 victory that ranks as the greatest victory in the country’s rich baseball history, Tovar stood on the stage inside LoanDepot Park and listened to Venezuela’s national anthem, “Gloria al Bravo Pueblo” (‘Glory to the Brave People’).
Hitting coach Miguel Cabrera, one of the greatest Venezuelan baseball players of all-time, stood close by Tovar, adding to the moment.
“You know, I felt it in the skin. You felt it everywhere,” Tovar told reporters at Rockies spring training in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Thursday when he rejoined his major league team for the final days of camp. The Rockies open their regular season next Friday in Miami.
“Everyone’s remembering what’s happened in our country, what’s happened in Venezuela,” the shortstop continued, using Rockies media relations coordinator staffer Edwin Diaz as his translator. “So obviously, that’s just a very beautiful moment. You know that you can reflect on … the emotions of it all.”
Tovar had an outstanding WBC. In six games, he hit .471 (8 for 17) with three doubles and two steals. In Venezuela’s 8-5 semifinal win over Japan, Tovar was 3 for 4 with two doubles.
Little wonder he showed up at the Rockies’ Salt River Fields complex donning the baseball jersey he’s worn for three days.
“If the (Rockies) give me permission, I’ll use it all week,” he said.
Tovar said the WBC victory was important for his troubled country.
“Venezuela really needed this one,” he said. “Venezuela really needed the joy of it. As players, it was a big blessing to put on the Venezuelan uniform, to represent the country.
“But trust me when I say this, Venezuela had a big party when we won, so I know they’re very happy with it. So it means a lot.”
On Jan. 3, the United States conducted a military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. They were transported to the U.S. and charged with crimes while Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s vice president, became the acting president of Venezuela. Maduro and Flores remain in U.S. custody.
During the WBC, the team tried to avoid questions about the political situation in its home country. But after the game, manager Omar Lopez spoke emotionally about what transpired.
“This maybe was an example to show everyone that we’re not bad people and we’re fighting to have a united Venezuela again, a Venezuela that is peaceful, a Venezuela that can grow,” Lopez told reporters. “In all parts of the world, the same things that they say about us, those countries have the same problems, but they look at us like we’re bad people. That was more fuel for me, to demonstrate that this team, working together, we can unite 30 million people.”
Tovar won a Gold Glove in 2024, when he had a breakout year, leading the National League with 45 doubles, hitting a team-high 26 homers, and ranking second in the league with 75 extra-base hits. But 2025 was a down season filled with injuries. He’s eager to prove he’s an All-Star player.
He was asked on Thursday if his performance in the WBC would show baseball fans unfamiliar with the Rockies that he’s a good player.
“I haven’t really that fully sunk in, I don’t think I’ve thought of that yet,” Tovar answered. “For all of us going into the (WBC), we’re all trying to just play our part. Whether that’s hitting, (playing) defensively or even running the bases.”
Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer, of course, was thrilled for his shortstop.
“This is a really cool opportunity,” Schaeffer told reporters. “It’s been so fun for me to watch ‘Tovi’ play. The emotion that he is showing. The success that he’s having. We all know what ‘Tovi’ can do in Denver. It’s just nice for the outside world to see him; everybody gets eyes on him, and I’m really happy for him and his family.”
Asked what he plans to do with his gold medal, Tovar said: “The plan is to leave it in my house, or just put it on me and wear it everywhere, if I can.”
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