Cote: World Baseball Classic, sports’ unifying power needed right now

As the World Baseball Classic opens its global tournament, Miami once again steps into the spotlight as the main host and hub city, underscoring the event’s role in rallying nations around a shared diamond. With an Us against the World spirit surging through ballparks, the Classic arrives at a moment when the simple act of playing catch feels like a diplomatic handshake. The city’s familiar palm-lined backdrop and multicultural fan base frame a competition designed to celebrate national pride while reminding spectators that baseball’s language is universal. In a time marked by division, the tournament offers a rare arena where flags wave side by side and rivalries begin and end between the chalked lines, proving that sport’s most valuable stat might be its capacity to unite.