Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show - Italy helps Team USA survive in the World Baseball Classic

Episode Date: March 12, 2026

Leila Rahimi and Mark Grote discussed Team USA advancing to the knockout stage of the World Baseball Classic thanks to Italy’s win over Mexico on Wednesday evening.

Rahimi Harris and Grody. That sounds so crazy. 104.3, the score. Wow, I like that. Midday's 10 to 2 on 104.3, the score. Rosarada hits it hard. Fisher throws across. Ball game.

Italy, 4 and 0, into the quarterfinals, and Mexico has been eliminated. You see, we'll beat. Mexico at 2-2, United States in. They get Canada on Friday, Italy. It's Puerto Rico on Saturday afternoon. That is courtesy of Fox Sports One. It was supposed to be on Tubey, our favorite network.

Your thing. But I've changed to Fox Sports. Rays in my favorite. Yeah, that's right. I'm a tubier. Oh, yeah, I did hear you talking about that. Yeah, you know more. Get on board with Tubey.

Come on, bro, Tubey, bro. We're not getting paid to say this. Pulling tubes, yo. Is that what you're saying? Yeah, take it easy. That sounds inappropriate. It's legal, but anyway. This is Rahimi, in some states,

this is Rahimi Harrison Grotie on 104-3, the score. And that was Italy's 9-to-1 win over Mexico at Dikin Park in Houston for the World Baseball Classic. And why was it important that we kept an eye on this game or why did it get moved from Tubby to Fox Sports 1 and why did we all watch it? Because Team Italy needed to help Team USA in order for them to advance. Italy needed to beat Mexico by at least four runs.

and that's what happened. So they were able to advance. They got the run differential in their favor. And Team Italy, firing up the espresso, 4-0 wins pool B. Team USA was 3-1, and they both advanced in the World Baseball Classic. And Vinnie Pasquintino,

who, of course, I know from watching a billion socks and royals games, it's not great baseball, typically. How dare you? You just farted on it. It's been good for Vinny. It just hasn't been as good for the socks recently. Vinnie Pasquintino had struggled in the World Baseball Classic.

He was due, and he ends up paying three home runs in the win and had quite the interview with Friend of the Score, John Paul Barrosi, after the game. Three espresso shots in. How are you feeling? I'm caffeinated. I'm beamed up right now, so, yeah, we're in a good spot. So how many more boxes of those espresso pods are now on order? As many as we need.

As many as we need, we'll make it happen. So that was unbelievable, huh? You're welcome, USA. We were thinking of you guys over at your hotel. We were thinking of you guys. So I'm glad you guys could join us in the party. So when you get back to your phone, Vinnie, what's that text message going to say from Bobby Witt, Jr.?

I'm hoping he's got a room key for me at his hotel. That's what I'm hoping for. That's it. I'm just joking around, but I don't know. I don't know. I don't even know what I'm feeling right now. I've never felt this before. Like I know we didn't win anything.

We won the pool and we've advanced, but just we weren't supposed to, right? I mean, we had expectations that we could, but we did. We knew what we needed to do tonight. And once we scored four runs, it was like, all right, we better. win this thing. So it's, I don't know, it's just, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's pretty special. This is a really cool group. Whatever happens next, we're going to be ready for it. And I'm honored to just be a part of this. Sometimes when someone who's hit as many home runs as you have, Vinnie, you know when it's going to be a special day. I saw you bunt on your first pitch.

So what were your thoughts, your emotions heading into this one? I'm pretty sure everybody knew how I had been hitting so far in this tournament. I knew. any way you can get a hit. You just try to get on base and help the team. And I've never hit three home runs in a game before, so that's kind of cool. But more importantly, we were able to put some runs on the board early. And we scored more than them tonight, and that's the goal.

And I'm super proud of this team. I know how much pride you take in your defense, Vinnie, as well. What did that mean to you to, who? Hey, thank you. Thanks. Gatorade dump, I assume. For the captain, for the captain. Your defense, Vinny, all over the place last night, doing the splits last night, and then again today, what is that the result of, in terms of all the work that you put in?

It's just hard work. I mean, it's just getting out there and doing the work. Jose Agucile with the Royals, our infield coach, Vance Wilson, who's helped me out over the years. Those two guys just pushing me every day to try to get better and to, you know, do what I can to not be a designated hitter. Because I really don't want to be that right now. So we're just happy. I'm glad I was able to help contribute, especially when I wasn't doing anything offensively.

And I'm just really happy. Finally, Vinnie, you're one of the many Italian Americans on this team, but I thought it was very poignant that it began with Aldegeri on the mound and ends with Quaterini. Right. What have you learned about the Italians who have come over and join this team and now wear the same jersey as you? They're not scared.

I mean, that's the loudest environment I've ever played in. I can only imagine. So for those guys tonight, I mean, it couldn't be better. I know this game was on national TV in Italy, which doesn't happen very often. And for the Italians who were able to stay awake or wake up early to be with us, those are your guys, right? I mean, we're your guys, but those are your guys. Just a bunch of special, I mean, Andreas, Gabriella, Claudio, Mateo's here. Sam, Sam.

Renzzo Martini, Sam Aldegari. I mean, these guys are awesome. And I'm just so proud of this group. Well, it's always a joy to watch to play Vinny, and Italy is lucky to have you as the captain. Congratulations. We'll see you in the quarterfinal. Thank you.

I appreciate it. I like Vinny. I'm glad you played that for me, Leila. He's got a place right here on this microphone anytime he wants. It was the right amount of incredulous and then also not quite understanding that they won. And then I feel like their only concept was to get. enough runs for Team USA. You're welcome USA.

And then he made the joke. We were thinking of you guys. You're welcome to Rosa. Trolls Team USA at their hotel that is like, hey, can I stay with you? Like that took some twists and turns. And then it's just also beaned up, which I had never heard.

He's talking about espresso beans. I'm beamed up right now. You're welcome, USA. And then the headline said, beamed up Vinnie Pasquentino, blast three homers in historic WBC effort. for Italy. You're welcome, USA. Oh, yeah. The Dorocha got bailed out, ladies and gentlemen. Those four runs to get the four runs for Italy, the bailout has occurred. And he was over 12.

Oh, is that what he was coming in? When he says not doing anything offensively, he meant it. He was buttoned. Now, I know. I know that I'm being hypocritical here. I know that I'm being hypocritical because I told you that I can't cheer for Bryce Terrang. Noted PITA Award winner here on the pain in the ass. Because that's what he is for the brewers whenever they face the Cubs. You and Ironstein Pages that one. And Vinnie Pascentino is definitely that for the Royals when they face the White Sox. But he never hit three home runs in a game before.

And I just had a laugh because you could tell in watching it, Mark, that he really didn't believe they won. I don't even know what I'm feeling right now. I don't know what the hell happened here. That's why it made me laugh so much on Rahimi Harris and Grotie. And I'm glad I got to play that for you. Thank you. That was great. Can I bring up a few other things from watching? I watched the majority of the game last. I obviously did not see that the post game, but Italy wins 9 to 1. Stayed for the whole deal. I did. Good for you. I was flipping around. But Javier Assad started the game. He gave up two home rounds. I'm sorry, Ray. I know this is a sensitive topic for you. But I did notice this about Javier Assad. Maybe this has been brought up and I haven't been paying enough attention. He has slimmed down a little bit and he wasn't wearing the glasses.

He was not wearing the signature Javier Sade black glasses last night. He looked good, but it just felt a little bit empty that that was going on. I also have a beef with something that was going on in the game. I don't know if you notice this. An Italian beef, absolutely. We should have an Italian beef with something going on. Baptized. Baptized.

With some jardiner. That sounds lovely right now. That does. It's 3-1-2 day. Oh, my. Oh, yeah, spot on. they kept showing an Italian fan. I assume it was an Italian fan wearing a Pope uniform.

So they think they still have ownership of the Pope in Italy? I don't think so. I don't think so. That is for us. It is for Chicagoans to dress up as the Pope until further notice. Wait a second. The Pope is a socks fan. Yeah.

Can he cheer for Vinnie Pasquistino and Bobby Wood Jr.? That's what I'm saying. whole Pope and the stands thing. You think that's cute. No, no, we get to do that here. We are the Pope. Okay? Chicago is the Pope. America is the Pope. Not Italy. Sorry. Not even the Cubs. The White Sox. Yeah. Yeah. I'll even, I'll allow for that. Yes, White Sox, you are the Pope. So what happens if somebody asks Pope Leo, hey, did you watch Team Italy? And he's like, well, I can't be cheering for Bobby Wood Jr. and Vinnie Pasquitinino. It's true. Kyle Teal Sam Antanachi, my guys.

Shout out to John Birdie. Once a Cub, hitting a home run last night for Team Italy. Don't know how the Pope feels about John Birdie at this point in time. I can tell you how I feel. How you feel about it? Team Italy, you can keep John Bertie. You know who else is on Team Italy, Ray?

Your favorite. Your favorite. Miles Master Boney. Oh, yeah. Team Italy, you can keep both of those guys. Thanks. Oh, Miles Master Boney. Why do you hate Miles Master Boney?

What did he ever do? You know? He was a time. Just not enough. How about that? Tried hard. I mean, isn't that what you want, right? Tried hard is not good enough, Mark Grady.

I think you should know that as a long time Cubs fan. But we just talked about Max Effer. Yeah, with two X's baby. And then USA versus Canada, it could be the ex-cubs slash socks pitcher Michael Soroka getting the start for the Canadians. Well, don't forget James and Tyone. Or Jameson Tile. And apparently Owen Casey has had himself a heck of a series for Team Canada.

Yeah. Big Red looking good. Although he did in the last WBC, too. He hit a home run to Straightaway Center in the 2023 WBC that looked like it went about 25 million miles. I forget who it was against. But if you know what I'm talking about, you probably remember. We all liked Owen Casey more than the Cubs did.

I mean, like they liked them, but they liked them that much. O'O and Casey. I like the way the ball came off his bat. He had good opposite field power and the bats he had with the Cubs. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, they may have, well, this happens, right? They had a pitching and they had a trainer for pitching. I'm not sitting here saying the Cubs are going to regret it.

I just like them. I'm curious to see what he does in his career. And that's, yeah, you're right. That's what you do with prospects. You got to flip them and make your team better. I think the Cubs are, I'm not going to say it. I'm not making any Cubs predictions right now. Fine.

I was hurt before. I'm not going through another year of that. Uh-uh, Ray. You know what I'm talking about. Oh, I know. You guys are getting ready to press the, that button. The grodied condescending.

The season is over. The Cubs have won the division. A47 is making me laugh. When Pasquintino started listing the names he wanted to acknowledge, I thought he was reading Mike North's Christmas card list. My guy! Yeah, I think victory beef for team, you know, the Italian beef for Team USA and for and for us and for Team Italy may be the move here.

Do you take? I don't even have any espresso today. I had just coffee. I made it. on my espresso machine. Yeah, and your vat of oatmeal. Yes, I made a vat of oatmeal. I like the way you operate.

I do. Yeah, let's see the vat. Show everybody. It's a nice vat, actually. The container that you have is beautiful. It's insulated and it has dancing off the coffers. Yeah, look at that. Look at that.

What else have you used that vat? I bet you can put some chili in that vat. Like if you're going out to a tailgate, you could have your little chili out there. You know. Yes. So, yeah, I have oatmeal that I bring for my breakfast because I'm a very exciting individual. The Pope loves Sam Antonacci. Yes, that is true.

All right, we're going to parse this through. Half-Time is next. I'm Rahimi Harrison Grady.