Team USA arrived at its World Baseball Classic championship matchup with Venezuela wearing game-worn USA men's hockey sweaters from the most recent Winter Olympics, a look coordinated through a behind-the-scenes connection between Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes. Hughes' overtime goal was the difference in the Americans' gold medal win over Canada. Fanatics, which provided the jerseys through its memorabilia arm, is fortuitously located about 20 miles from the stadium, delivering the jerseys directly to Team USA's hotel.

Team USA enters Tuesday's championship on the back of a dramatic semifinal win over the Dominican Republic, where a pair of fourth-inning home runs from Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony proved decisive in a 2-1 final. The unique jersey choice and recent momentum position the team as a significant contender in the tournament finale.