Record by team

Team	Main tournament
	GP	W	L	Pct.	RF	RA	RD
Canada	5	4	1	0.800	41	18	+23
Puerto Rico	6	3	3	0.500	30	27	+3
Colombia	2	2	0	1.000	6	4	+2
Italy	1	1	0	1.000	6	2	+4
Netherlands	1	1	0	1.000	9	3	+6
South Africa	1	1	0	1.000	17	0	+17
Japan	4	2	2	0.500	12	16	−4
Mexico	4	1	3	0.250	10	18	−8
Venezuela	5	3	2	0.600	37	30	+7
Dominican Republic	3	1	2	0.333	12	13	−1
South Korea	1	0	1	0.000	3	7	−4
Great Britain	1	1	0	1.000	6	2	+4
Cuba	1	1	0	1.000	14	2	+12
Total	35	21	14	0.618	203	142	+62

2006: Inaugural Classic

On January 17, 2006, the United States announced its provisional 60-man roster (52 players in all), and whittled down the squad mixed with youth and experience to 30 players on February 14, 2006. Sixteen of the 30 Major League clubs were represented on the 2006 squad, including multiple representatives from the New York Yankees (4), Houston Astros (3), Washington Nationals (3), Atlanta Braves (2), Boston Red Sox (2), Chicago Cubs (2), Colorado Rockies (2), Houston Astros (2), and Texas Rangers (2). The fact that four Yankees were selected for the squad irked Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who was opposed to the WBC being held in the middle of spring training to the point where at his team's complex in Tampa, Florida, he posted a sign apologizing for their absence and mocking the tournament in the process. Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig promptly ordered him to take down the sign the next day.

Manager Buck Martinez brought his 17 years of professional experience as a major league catcher, and 1+ seasons as Toronto Blue Jays' (2001–2002) skipper to the U.S. team. Former big league managers Davey Johnson and Marcel Lachemann served as hitting coach and pitching coach, respectively.

Along with fellow North American rivals Canada and Mexico, the U.S. hosted the South Africa. Round One games were held at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona and Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Arizona. The top two teams advanced to Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, California. Despite a surprising loss to Canada, the United States advanced to the second round via tiebreaker. However, second-round losses to South Korea and Mexico allowed Japan to advance over the Americans via tiebreak.

2006 WBC Results

March 7 1st Round, Pool B – Game 1	Mexico	0–2	United States	United States Chase Field Attendance: 32,727
		Boxscore

March 8 1st Round, Pool D – Game 3	Canada	8–6	United States	United States Chase Field Attendance: 16,993
		Boxscore

March 10 1st Round, Pool D – Game 6	United States	17–0 (F/5)	South Africa	United States Scottsdale Stadium Attendance: 11,975
		Boxscore

March 12 2nd Round, Pool 1 – Game 1	Japan	3–4	United States	United States Angel Stadium of Anaheim Attendance: 32,896
		Boxscore

March 13 2nd Round, Pool 2 – Game 3	United States	3–7	South Korea	United States Angel Stadium of Anaheim Attendance: 21,288
		Boxscore

March 16 2nd Round, Pool 2 – Game 5	United States	1–2	Mexico	United States Angel Stadium of Anaheim Attendance: 38,284
		Boxscore

2009: America's second-best finish

The United States competed in Pool C of the 2009 World Baseball Classic along with Italy, Venezuela, and host Canada. The U.S. won the pool opener against Canada by a score of 6-, and secured advancement into Round 2 by defeating Venezuela in a 15–6 slugfest. Venezuela, however, came back to defeat the U.S. in the championship game of Pool C, 5–3.

On March 14, in their first match of round 2 against Puerto Rico, in Miami, Florida's Dolphin Stadium, the United States was mercy ruled for the first time in international competition, losing 11–1 in seven innings. Adam Dunn and Captain Derek Jeter were among the ones to voice their distaste with the severe beating. Manager Davey Johnson even stated "I should have stayed there", referencing a wedding he was at earlier in the day.

The United States came on strong the following day against the surprising Netherlands (who had already eliminated a tournament super power: The Dominican Republic), jumping out to a 6–0 lead in the fourth inning, and winning 9–3. With Puerto Rico losing to Venezuela 2–0 the following day, the U.S. would face Puerto Rico once again in the qualifying round. The loser would be eliminated from the tournament. With Puerto Rico leading 5–3 in the 9th inning, singles by Shane Victorino and Brian Roberts and walks by Jimmy Rollins and Kevin Youkilis cut the lead to 5–4 for New York Mets third baseman David Wright, who looped a barely-fair single into right that brought in Roberts and Rollins to win the game, 6–5, advancing to the semifinals while eliminating Puerto Rico. The United States would go on to lose to Japan 9–4 in the second semifinal.

2009 WBC Results

March 7 1st Round, Pool C – Game 1	Canada	5–6	United States	Canada Rogers Centre Attendance: 42,314
		Boxscore

March 8 1st Round, Pool D – Game 3	United States	15–6	Venezuela	Canada Rogers Centre Attendance: 13,094
		Boxscore

March 11 1st Round, Pool D – Game 6	Venezuela	5–3	United States	Canada Rogers Centre Attendance: 12,358
		Boxscore

March 14 2nd Round, Pool 1 – Game 2	United States	1–11 (F/7)	Puerto Rico	United States Dolphin Stadium Attendance: 30,595
		Boxscore

March 15 2nd Round, Pool 2 – Game 3	Netherlands	3–9	United States	United States Dolphin Stadium Attendance: 11,059
		Boxscore

March 17 2nd Round, Pool 2 – Game 5	Puerto Rico	5–6	United States	United States Dolphin Stadium Attendance: 13,224
		Boxscore

March 18 2nd Round, Pool 2 – Game 6	United States	6–10	Venezuela	United States Dolphin Stadium Attendance: 16,575
		Boxscore

March 22 Semifinals	United States	4–9	Japan	United States Dodger Stadium Attendance: 43,630
		Boxscore

2013: Stiffer competition; America misses the finals again

The United States team competed in Pool D of the 2013 World Baseball Classic along with Italy, Canada, and Mexico. The U.S. team lost to Mexico in the first round 5–2, but later won two games against Canada and Italy, securing their place for the second round, along with Italy, on Pool 2.

On March 12, they beat Puerto Rico 7–1, which then proceeded to face off against the Dominican Republic on March 14, losing 3–1 where they face off Puerto Rico once again the next day, as Puerto Rico beat the American team 4–3 (as revenge for being eliminated from the 2009 World Baseball Classic), thus eliminating them from the tournament.

2013 WBC Results

March 8 1st Round, Pool D – Game C	Mexico	5–2	United States	United States Chase Field Attendance: 44,256
		Boxscore

March 9 1st Round, Pool D – Game 5	Italy	2–6	United States	United States Chase Field Attendance: 19,303
		Boxscore

March 10 1st Round, Pool D – Game 6	United States	9–4	Canada	United States Chase Field Attendance: 22,425
		Boxscore

March 14 2nd Round, Pool 2 – Game 2	Puerto Rico	1–7	United States	United States Marlins Park Attendance: 32,872
		Boxscore

March 15 2nd Round, Pool 2 – Game 4	Dominican Republic	3–1	United States	United States Marlins Park Attendance: 34,366.
		Boxscore

March 16 2nd Round, Pool 2 – Game 5	Puerto Rico	4–3	United States	United States Marlins Park Attendance: 19,762
		Boxscore

2017: First championship

The Americans won their first game over Colombia, 3–2, in 10 innings on a walk-off single by Adam Jones. After losing to the Dominican Republic after having a 5-run lead, the U.S. defeated Canada to reach the Second Round.

In the Second Round the Americans won the first game of the round defeating Venezuela 4–2. In the second game the U.S. was defeated by Puerto Rico 6–5 after giving up 4 runs in the 1st inning. The U.S. then defeated the Dominican Republic to advance to the Championship Round.

In the Championship Round Semifinals on March 21, the Americans defeated Japan 2–1 to advance to their first-ever appearance in the Final. In the Final on March 22, the U.S. once again faced Puerto Rico; the U.S. however, ended up winning 8–0 capturing the first ever World Baseball Classic Title for the United States. Following the conclusion of the tournament, Eric Hosmer, Christian Yelich, and Marcus Stroman were named to the 2017 All-World Baseball Classic team.^[6]

2017 WBC Results

March 10 1st Round, Pool C – Game 2	Colombia	2–3	United States	United States Marlins Park Attendance: 22,580
		Boxscore

March 11 1st Round, Pool C – Game 4	United States	5–7	Dominican Republic	United States Marlins Park Attendance: 37,446
		Boxscore

March 12 1st Round, Pool C – Game 6	Canada	0–8	United States	United States Marlins Park Attendance: 22,303
		Boxscore

March 15 2nd Round, Pool F – Game 2	Venezuela	2–4	United States	United States Petco Park Attendance: 16,635
		Boxscore

March 17 2nd Round, Pool 2 – Game 4	United States	5–6	Puerto Rico	United States Petco Park Attendance: 34,463
		Boxscore

March 18 2nd Round, Pool 2 – Game 6	Dominican Republic	3–6	United States	United States Petco Park Attendance: 43,002
		Boxscore

March 21 Semifinals	United States	2–1	Japan	United States Dodger Stadium Attendance: 33,462
		Boxscore

March 22 Finals	United States	8–0	Puerto Rico	United States Dodger Stadium Attendance: 51,565
		Boxscore

2023: the Americans fail to repeat

Team USA won their first game in pool play against Great Britain 6–2. They lost their next game against Mexico 11–5 in which would ultimately be their only pool play loss. The United States won their final two games against Canada and Columbia and advanced to the knockout stage.

In their quarterfinal matchup against Venezuela, the Americans were trailing 7–5 in the 8th when Trea Turner hit a go-ahead Grand Slam to win the game 9–7 for Team USA to advance to the semi-finals. There, the U.S. blew out Cuba 14–2 and advanced to the Championship round for the second time in a row.

Their Championship round opponent was a championship much anticipated for the WBC, which was Japan. The Americans took an early 1–0 lead on a Trea Turner homerun but could not close the door and lost to Japan, with the final score being 3–2. Trea Turner and Mike Trout were named to the 2023 All-World Baseball Classic team.^[7]

2023 WBC Results

March 11th 10:00 P.M. EST, 7:00 P.M. PST Pool C, Game 1	Great Britain	2–6	United States	Chase Field, Phoenix Arizona Attendance: 39,650
		Boxscore

March 12th 10:00 P.M. EST, 7:00 P.M. PST Pool C, Game 2	Mexico	11–5	United States	Chase Field, Phoenix Arizona Attendance: 47,534
		Boxscore

March 13th 10:00 P.M. EST, 7:00 P.M. PST Pool C, Game 3	Canada	1–12 (F/7)	United States	Chase Field, Phoenix Arizona Attendance: 29,621
		Boxscore

March 15th 10:00 P.M. EST, 7:00 P.M. PST Pool C, Game 4	United States	3–2	Colombia	Chase Field, Phoenix Arizona Attendance: 29,856
		Boxscore

March 18th 7:00 P.M. EST, 4:00 P.M. PST Quarterfinals	United States	9–7	Venezuela	Marlins Park, Miami, Florida Attendance: 35,782
		Boxscore

March 19th 7:00 P.M. EST, 4:00 P.M. PST Semifinals	Cuba	2–14	United States	Marlins Park, Miami, Florida Attendance: 35,779
		Boxscore

March 21st 7:00 P.M. EST, 4:00 P.M. PST Finals	United States	2–3	Japan	Marlins Park, Miami, Florida Attendance: 36,098
		Boxscore

Background

Baseball unofficially debuted at the Summer Olympics of 1904 in St. Louis. Single exhibition games were played in conjunction with five Olympics: 1912 in Stockholm, 1936 in Berlin, 1952 in Helsinki, 1956 in Melbourne, and 1964 in Tokyo. The 1952 exhibition was of a Finnish variant of baseball known as pesäpallo.

The 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles was the first to feature a tournament in the program. Eight teams competed in the tournament held at Dodger Stadium. Cuba, after winning the gold medal at the 1983 Pan American Games, was to participate, but did not as a result of the Soviet-led boycott. The United States national team (Team USA) finished second, falling to Japan in the final game, 6–3. No official medals were awarded as baseball was a demonstration sport.

Baseball returned as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Again an eight-team tournament, the United States finished first in the tournament, defeating Japan, 5–3, in the final game.

Baseball became an official medal sport beginning with the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. Competition was open only to male amateurs in 1992 and 1996. As a result, Team USA and other nations where professional baseball is developed relied on college baseball players, while Cuba used their most experienced veterans, who technically were considered amateurs as they nominally held other jobs. Professional baseball players were introduced in 2000, but the situation remained largely the same. No active players from Major League Baseball (MLB) competed—as MLB declined to release its players—so Team USA utilized minor-league players and free agents, while Cuba and some other nations were still able to use their best players, as they had no commitments with MLB.^[8][9]

At the International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting on July 8, 2005, baseball and softball were voted out of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, becoming the first sports voted out of the Olympics since polo was eliminated from the 1936 Summer Olympics.^[10] The IOC cited the absence of the best players as the main reason for baseball being dropped from the Olympic program following the 2008 games.^[9] Baseball returned to the Olympic program for the 2020 games, held in 2021 in Tokyo. It will not be part of the 2024 games in Paris, but is scheduled for the 2028 games in Los Angeles.^[11]

1992: Fourth in Barcelona

Team USA had a 5–2 record in pool play, then lost to Cuba in the semifinals, followed by a loss to Japan in the bronze-medal match.

1996: Bronze in Atlanta

Team USA had a 6–1 record in pool play, then lost to Japan in the semifinals, followed by a win over Nicaragua in the bronze-medal match.

2000: Gold in Sydney

Team USA had a 6–1 record in pool play, then defeated South Korea in the semifinals, followed by a win over Cuba in the gold-medal game.

2004: Did not qualify for Athens

2008: Bronze in Beijing

Team USA qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics by winning the American Qualifying Tournament. In Beijing, Team USA had a 5–2 record in pool play, then lost to Cuba in the semifinals, followed by a win over Japan in the bronze-medal match.

2020: Silver in Tokyo

Members of the 2020 Olympic squad before a scrimmage at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in 2021

In November 2019, with Scott Brosius as manager, the team initially failed to qualify at the 2019 WBSC Premier12 Tournament.^[20] The team subsequently qualified, with Mike Scioscia as manager, by winning the Americas Qualifying Event held from May 31 to June 5, 2021, in Florida.^[21] Luke Williams led the team in batting average (.444), runs (6), hits (8), and RBIs (6), Todd Frazier and Mark Kolozsvary led in home runs (2), and David Robertson led the team in saves (2).^[22]

At the Olympics, the team first won its three-team pool, via victories over South Korea and Israel. In the modified double-elimination bracket, the team lost to Japan in the second round, then defeated the Dominican Republic in the repechage and South Korea in the semi-finals and advanced to the gold medal game where the team lost to Japan for the second time.^[23] Team Japan was made up of players from Nippon Professional Baseball, which paused its season for the Olympics,^[24] while Team USA fielded minor-league players and free agents with major-league experience.^[25][26]

2015

Team USA came in second in the 2015 WBSC Premier12 Tournament.

2019

Team USA came in fourth in the 12-team 2019 WBSC Premier12 Tournament in November 2019. Two quota spots were allocated from the Tournament, of the spots for six baseball teams at the 2020 Olympic Games, with third-place Mexico as the top finisher from the Americas earning one spot and Team USA not earning a spot.^[28] Team USA did not include players who were on their teams' 40-man MLB rosters, being made up of minor league players, including former First Round MLB draft picks Jo Adell, Tanner Houck, and Brent Rooker (2017 MLB draft), Alec Bohm and Xavier Edwards (2018 MLB draft), and Andrew Vaughn (2019 MLB draft). Other teams used their top-level players.^[29][30]

2007

The U.S. was in group A of the 2007 IBAF World Cup, along with Republic of China, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Italy, Spain and South Africa. The U.S. went 6–1 to win their group, with their only loss coming on November 9, 2007 against Italy. It was the U.S.'s first loss to Italy in 21 years and the first time it ever lost to Italy with professional players, as the team consisted of minor league prospects.

This one loss, however, would be their only. The U.S. went on to beat Korea, Netherlands, and Cuba to capture the gold.

2009

In Round 1 of the 2009 Baseball World Cup, the U.S. (2–1) finished second in Group E and advanced with first-place Venezuela (3–0). In Round 2, the U.S. was joined by the nine other first- and second-place teams from Round 1, four wild-card teams, and the two principal host teams (Italy and the Netherlands). The 16 teams were divided into Groups F and G. The U.S. (7–0) defeated each of the other seven teams in Group G. In Round 3, the first four teams in Group F were renamed Group 1 and the first four teams in Group G were renamed Group 2. The U.S. finished first in Group 2 with a record of 7–0; Cuba finished first in Group 1, with a 5–2 record. In the Final Round, Group 1 and 2's fourth-place teams competed for overall seventh place; the two third-place teams competed for overall fifth place; and the two second-place teams competed for the bronze medal. In the gold-medal game, the U.S. defeated Cuba, 10–5.

Tournament awards were given to Justin Smoak (MVP) and Todd Redmond (best won/loss average (pitcher)). Smoak (first base) was also named to the tournament All-Star Team, along with Jon Weber (outfield) and Terry Tiffee (designated hitter).