Patriotism Takes Center Stage as USA Heads to WBC Final vs Venezuela

Before Tuesday’s World Baseball Classic final with Venezuela, the U.S. has leaned into patriotic military symbolism—saluting servicemen, inviting ex-Navy SEAL Robert J. O’Neill to speak, and citing Air Force Academy ties—drawing scrutiny as Venezuela embraces its own pregame dances; the U.S. beat the Dominican Republic in the semis to chase a second title, while Venezuela seeks its first.