Julio Rodriguez is dedicated to the Mariners, but his main priority is winning the WBC.

Julio Rodriguez on World Baseball Classic Pride

For Julio Rodriguez, the outfielder for the Mariners, it’s really about representing his country above all else.

During a practice session for the World Baseball Classic, Rodriguez, who plays for the Dominican Republic, expressed that winning the tournament holds significant importance for him.

“I truly love the Mariners,” Rodriguez mentioned, adding that he always puts in maximum effort for his team on the field. “But winning the World Baseball Classic is my top priority.”

This marks Rodriguez’s second appearance in the WBC, following his participation in 2023 when he was part of the Dominican team that didn’t advance past the pool stages.

“This is for my country, my city, and my neighbors,” he went on, emphasizing his connection to the Dominican Republic.

The Dominican Republic has maintained an unbeaten record in pool play, showcasing a dominant performance with a total score of 41-10 across four games.

Reflecting on Thursday’s thrilling win against Venezuela, Rodriguez described it as “the most exciting game” he’s ever played, highlighting the tense atmosphere.

“The atmosphere was definitely the most exciting game I’ve ever been to,” he said. “It was incredible to see the Dominican fans come out. I nearly lost my mind.” He compared the lively Dominican crowd to the playoff environment but noted that it has a unique intensity of its own.

“I think that matchup was the wildest I’ve been in. The clash of the two Latin cultures was truly something special,” he added.

Fellow teammate Juan Soto shared similar aspirations, expressing that winning the championship for the Dominican Republic would be a “dream.” He stated, “My dream is to come here and try to win a championship for the Dominican Republic.”