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The United States team had a very bad night on Tuesday after losing the final of the World Baseball Classic. What should have been a celebration after arriving as favorites ended up being a gray day, where even several players were questioned for their bad attitude after losing the duel against Venezuela.
The controversy did not stay on the diamond, but rather moved to the awards ceremony, where the behavior of several MLB stars lit up social media.
The ugly gesture of the United States players after losing the World Baseball Classic
The United States entered the tournament with the label of "the best lineup ever assembled", but their path was full of bumps, including an unexpected loss to Italy in the first round. However, the tensest moment came after the final out of the final.
As MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred handed out the silver medals to the American players, the frustration was evident.
In a sequence that went viral in a matter of minutes, figures such as Kyle Schwarber and pitcher Mason Miller were seen removing their runners-up medals just seconds after receiving them, even before leaving the field for the clubhouse.
Criticism on social media of US players
The reaction of the fans was not long in coming. For many, the gesture was a lack of respect for the sporting spirit and the prestige of the international tournament.
"Terrible look. Should have treated his World Series ring the same... got to take the good with the bad, Kyle", commented one fan, recalling Schwarber's success with the Cubs in 2016.
Other critics pointed out that this attitude reinforces the stereotype of the American athlete as a "sore loser", in contrast to the euphoric and respectful celebration of the Venezuelans in Miami.
The truth is that the United States not only lost first place, but also prestige in front of its rivals and fans. The criticism was very strong and now each player will have to clean up their image as best they can.