Mexico's Nacho Alvarez Jr. Wears Luchador Mask in Photo to Celebrate HR at World Baseball Classic
Nacho Alvarez Jr. celebrated hitting Mexico's first home run of the 2026 World Baseball Classic in style.
After his solo shot off Great Britain starter Jack Anderson in the top of the second, Alvarez rounded the bases before putting on a luchador mask on his way back into the dugout.
As much fun as Alvarez looked to be having in the mask, it pales in comparison to his reaction running around the bases after the ball left the yard.
The luchador mask is not a wholly new part of Mexico's WBC aesthetic. Randy Arozarena wore one in the dugout prior to first pitch of the team's 2023 WBC game against Great Britain.
It's not hard to figure out why Alvarez was so enthusiastic in the moment. Beyond hitting a homer on a massive international stage, Mexico has been ascending as a baseball powerhouse.
After finishing outside the top 10 at the WBC in 2013 and 2017, the Mexican club had a third-place finish in 2023. They pushed eventual-champion Japan to the limit in the semifinal, holding a 5-4 lead in the ninth inning before Munetaka Murakami's walk-off double in the bottom of the frame.
Alvarez was a late addition to Mexico's roster when Ramón Urias opted to stay in camp with the St. Louis Cardinals after signing a one-year deal on Feb. 21.
Mexico extended an invite to Alvarez that he accepted. The 22-year-old, who is an infielder for the Atlanta Braves, seems to be enjoying his first exposure on the WBC stage.
