Charlie Valerio has played for the Dominican Republic National Team in baseball's biggest international events over the last three years, wearing the red and blue jersey during the WBSC Premier12 2019, the Americas Olympic Qualifier, the Final Olympic Qualifier and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where he earned a bronze medal. He was the guest of this month’s edition of The Global Game, the WBSC Podcast in Spanish.
Valerio said Dominicans live and breathe baseball, a sport that is in the people’s blood since they are kids. “For us it's a great pride to represent our flag,” said the catcher who hit .235 with a home run at the Tokyo Games. “Part of our success is the passion we have for baseball, this is the most important thing, how we enjoy the game.”
When the host of the podcast, Adriana Flores, inquired what it means to play for the Dominican Republic, Valerio was quick to answer. “This is the biggest thing you can aspire to, to represent your country. It’s unexplainable, like having your baby for the first time in your arms, you feel it in your heart.”
Asked about the differences between playing for your country and playing for a professional organisations, Valerio recognised that both experiences are great, “but when you represent your nation is something different. The feeling is different.”
In their second Olympic baseball appearance, the Dominican Republic made history winning the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games bronze medal.
The 31-year old catcher born in Santiago stated that, even if Dominican Republic's biggest game in the Olympics was the bronze medal affair, the match he enjoyed the most was against Israel.
“They competed, not only for a medal, but competed because they enjoyed every single moment," Valerio said. "They gave their best, and even when they were playing against one of the world superpowers, the didn’t care. And they were close to winning that game, we beat them in the last inning.”
Valerio was a standout presence in the Dominican lineup, beginning with the two Olympic qualifiers to the Tokyo 2020 bronze medal game against Korea. And he enjoyed his Olympic experience.
“Not every player, not every athlete have the opportunity to participate in the Olympic Games. A lot of people dream about it, but just a few people have the opportunity,” said Valerio. “And I had the chance, and I enjoyed a lot to be there. The Olympics were great, unbelievable...It was amazing.”
