The World Baseball Classic team celebrates a home run with espresso shots in the dugout

Each team in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) has its own unique celebration of home runs, whether it’s a special jersey from the Dominican Republic or a handshake with Team USA.

But the Italian team may have the best of all – the players take a shot of espresso, made from a machine sitting right in the dugout.

It’s about as Italian as it gets.

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The machine sits near the dugout, but players and coaches can get their quick caffeine fix. And it’s nothing new for this group.

During the 2023 WBC, there was a Nespresso machine in the pit, and it served the team. They got out of their group stage for only the second time in this tournament.

So, why not give back?

First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, who plays for the Kansas City Royals, seems to be the leader of the ring with the machine when the player goes to the yard, too. After making the home hitter run for a shot of espresso, he kisses them on both cheeks – a common sign of Italian romance.

“In Italy, we drink coffee about 20 times a day,” manager Francisco Cervelli, a former major league catcher, said via MLB.com. “It’s a tradition. You walk down the street. You see a coffee place, get a coffee. Then you chitchat, then you keep walking and do the same thing over and over again. That’s Italy.”

Vinnie Pasquantino of Team Italy raises an espresso shot during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool B game presented by Capital One between Team Brazil and Team Italy at Daikin Park on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Houston, Texas. (Rob Tringali/WBCI/MLB)

Cervelli, who became Italy’s manager in January 2025, said the espresso machine “goes with us everywhere,” and he learned that during the European Baseball Championship last year.

“It’s normal. We found it on the bus. We put it in the ditch, everywhere.”

Superstition or not, Italy has seen early success in Pool B in Houston, which also includes Team USA. They are 2-0 in the tournament so far, beating Brazil, 8-0, and beating Great Britain, 7-4, on Sunday.

Team Italy’s Dante Nori drinks an espresso shot in the dugout after hitting a home run in the eighth inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool B game presented by Capital One between Team Brazil and Team Italy at Daikin Park on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Houston, Texas. (Rob Tringali/WBCI/MLB)

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Italy’s next matchup will be against Team USA on Tuesday night at 8 pm ET.

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