'You're Welcome, USA,' Vinnie Pasquantino Jokes About WBC Bracket After Italy's Win vs. Mexico

The biggest hero in pool play for the United States during the 2026 World Baseball Classic wasn't Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper or Kyle Schwarber.

Instead, it was Vinnie Pasquantino of Team Italy.

Pasquantino led the Italians to a 9-1 victory over Mexico on Wednesday with three home runs in an unbelievable performance. Italy's win meant the United States advanced to the quarterfinals despite Tuesday's loss to Pasquantino and Co.

"You're welcome, USA," he said during a postgame interview. "We were thinking of you guys over at your hotel. We were thinking of you guys, so we're glad you guys can join us at the party."

Italy beating Mexico was the most direct way the Americans could have advanced to the quarterfinals, and there ended up being little drama in the outcome.

However, there was plenty of drama going into Wednesday's game considering the tiebreaker scenarios that included the amount of runs scored could have been a factor:

While the United States has a loaded squad and Mexico had plenty of Major League Baseball talent, it was Italy that went 4-0 in Pool B play. None of those victories stood out more than the one over the Americans, which included home runs from Kyle Teel, Jac Caglianone and Sam Antonacci.

In addition to Pasquantino, Jon Berti went deep for Italy in Wednesday's win to continue the pattern of power at the plate.

Pasquantino is surely a familiar name for plenty of American fans considering he plays for the Kansas City Royals and launched 32 home runs last season.

But none of them were more memorable for plenty of United States fans than the three he hit Wednesday.