The 2026 edition of the World Baseball Classic has featured its usual share of star power, but one of baseball’s most recognizable sluggers is notably absent.
And according to Pete Alonso, the reason involves a surprising lack of contact from the country many assumed he would represent.
During a recent interview on Foul Territory, the Baltimore Orioles first baseman revealed that he was never invited to join United States national baseball team for this year’s tournament. Instead, interest came from another national program.
“No, they did not, and that’s fine for me. I probably would have said no because me and my wife are first-time parents. Just from a personal standpoint, the WBC is sick, but this wasn’t the year to do it. I was also asked by Team Italy, which was great, but the personal circumstance just didn’t line up.”
The revelation raised eyebrows among fans, especially given Alonso‘s established status as one of baseball’s premier power hitters. The 31-year-old has built a reputation as one of the most productive first basemen in the sport, and his participation would have given any national team a significant offensive boost.
Instead, Alonso is spending the spring focused on preparing for the upcoming Major League Baseball season in Baltimore, prioritizing family and a smooth transition into the next chapter of his career.
Why Team USA never called
The decision-making behind the U.S. roster has been closely watched across baseball. Team USA is managed by Mark DeRosa, who previously led the Americans during the 2023 tournament.
Building a roster for the World Baseball Classic often involves balancing superstar talent with availability, insurance considerations, and the willingness of players and their MLB clubs to participate.
Earlier in the offseason, Alonso had made it clear he was open to returning to the international stage. At one point, he even publicly encouraged DeRosa to reach out, saying he would welcome the opportunity if the team needed a first baseman.
“I haven’t heard anything. D-Ro, if you want to give me a call, it’s fine. That’d be great,” he said in December.
That call never came.
Instead, the U.S. roster ultimately leaned on other star hitters as it assembled a lineup featuring several prominent Major League players. In tournaments like the World Baseball Classic, where roster spots are limited, and many players compete for the same positions, even established stars can be left off depending on team needs.
While Alonso didn’t receive an invitation from Team USA, another nation saw the opportunity.
Italy, which often fields rosters built partly from players with Italian heritage playing in Major League Baseball, reached out to gauge Alonso‘s interest. The approach was hardly unusual. Several MLB players have represented countries other than the United States in past tournaments through family lineage rules.
However, Alonso declined that invitation, a decision that came down to family priorities.
The tournament, which takes place during spring training, can require players to ramp up to game intensity earlier than usual and travel internationally in the middle of preseason preparations.
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