{"id":622387,"date":"2026-03-13T22:36:55","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T22:36:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/622387\/"},"modified":"2026-03-13T22:36:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T22:36:55","slug":"mlb-star-snubs-world-series-in-favor-of-world-baseball-classic-title","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/622387\/","title":{"rendered":"MLB star snubs World Series in favor of World Baseball Classic title"},"content":{"rendered":"

Seattle Mariners star Julio Rodriguez recently shocked MLB<\/a> fans by claiming a World Baseball Classic title is his number one goal despite his MLB team\u2019s incredible World Series drought.<\/p>\n

Rodriguez and the Dominican Republic are one of the favorites to capture the 2026 WBC championship<\/a>. However, the island nation has stiff competition from Japan, Puerto Rico and the United States.<\/p>\n

MORE: 10 best baseball movies to enjoy between WBC games<\/a><\/p>\n

Some MLB fans were left surprised by Rodriguez\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Julio Rodriguez would rather win the WBC than a World Series:<\/p>\n

\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Via @FoulTerritoryTV<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/VxzzhUYTIr<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) March 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love the Mariners,\u201d Rodriguez said during the 2026 WBC<\/a>. \u201cThey 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seattle has several top players featuring at the current World Baseball Classic, including Rodriguez and star catcher Cal Raleigh.<\/p>\n

MORE: World Baseball Classic title odds, where Team USA stands<\/a><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Mariners\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dominican Republic right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. celebrates with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Julio Rodriguez. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

The U.S. squad faces a familiar North American opponent, Canada, while Japan and Puerto Rico loom on the opposite side of the bracket.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead <\/a>\u2014<\/p>\n

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