Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino made history by hitting three home runs in Team Italy's victory over Mexico during the World Baseball Classic. As Italy's captain, he led a unique espresso-shot celebration for home runs. His performance has sparked discussions about bringing the tradition to the Royals' dugout.
Vinnie Pasquantino, the Kansas City Royals' first baseman and captain for Team Italy, has been a standout in the World Baseball Classic. On Wednesday night, Italy defeated Mexico in a decisive win, highlighted by Pasquantino's three home runs, a feat that marks a milestone in the tournament's history.
Team Italy has gained attention for its cultural celebrations, including an espresso-shot ritual for home run hitters. After each homer, Pasquantino presents the player with a jacket and an espresso shot, accompanied by two kisses on the cheek. When Pasquantino himself homered, he participated in the tradition multiple times, leading to an energized postgame appearance.
Back in Surprise, Arizona, during the Royals' spring training, teammates followed the game closely. Catcher Carter Jensen, who watched the first home run as the clubhouse cleared after a Cactus League matchup, texted Pasquantino encouragement. "That was unbelievable," Jensen said. "I bet he barely slept all night."
The Royals organization has enjoyed seeing its players shine internationally. Bobby Witt Jr. had a strong showing for Team USA earlier in the week, while Jac Caglianone hit a notable home run against the USA on Tuesday. Salvador Perez, Maikel Garcia, and Luinder Avila represented Venezuela, and Seth Lugo is set to pitch for Puerto Rico against Italy on Saturday.
Manager Matt Quatraro praised the players' efforts. "That’s like my dream, right? To be able to brag about the guys," he said. "They’re making it easy from their performance, from their personality, from all of it." Quatraro hopes the intensity from the Classic carries into the Royals' season, emphasizing focus from the first pitch.
Talk has turned to whether the espresso machine could join the Royals' dugout. Reliever Matt Strahm noted a coffee machine near Perez's locker and expressed interest in upgrading. "They would enjoy it in the dugout," Strahm said. "Got to keep them ‘beaned up.’" While the Royals typically have a coffee jug available, any new tradition would need approval from leaders like Perez and Witt.
