World Baseball Classic

As it happened: Japan won 3-2 over Team USA at Miami's LoanDepot Park to capture their third World Baseball Classic championship.

He then bounces out to the pitcher and that’s five innings in the book. Is that Ohtani heading to the bullpen? Yamada promptly steals a base on the first pitch to Genda, surprisingly the first in this game! He finally gets a strike on the corner on the next pitch. The new Japanese pitcher is Taisei Ota, from the Yorimuri Giants, he has 1-3 record, 2.05 ERA and he has just walked a pinch-hitting Jeff McNeil and a single to Betts to start the top of the 7th inning. The next pitch is way off the corner. He had this to say: “You get to see the best Japanese player ever.. Williams’s next pitch is in the dirt, blocked by Realmuto. The next pitch is a ball. He works a full count, fouls the next pitch off. OHTANI HAS STRUCK OUT TROUT TO GET THE SAVE IN THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC FINAL! It was a pleasure covering it for The Guardian.

The two-way superstar's once-in-a-century skillset led Japan to a World Baseball Classic title while helping vault the tournament to newfound levels of ...

Which is all to corroborate the success of the 2023 WBC overall. [had at least one American-born player on its roster](https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/2023_World_Baseball_Classic_(Rosters)#Japan) (including Japan), and the Israeli and Italian teams both consisted almost exclusively of US-raised players. [many talented baseball players to miss playing time](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/641988-mlb-spring-training-the-most-impactful-preseason-injuries-ever-good-or-bad). [attracted more star players than previous editions](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/mar/06/why-is-the-us-finally-treating-the-world-baseball-classic-like-a-world-cup) but, by almost every metric, the 2023 WBC has been an unprecedented hit with fans. “The crowds, the enthusiasm, the players, the atmosphere – we committed, we came to Sunday, Monday and Tuesday’s [games].” Although USA and Japan jerseys predominated in the stands at the final, a sizable percentage of attendees were draped in hats, jerseys, flags and other paraphernalia from Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, Nicaragua and the many other countries which participated in the WBC. [excel at both pitching and hitting](https://twitter.com/ericstephen/status/1638371739251142656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1638371739251142656%7Ctwgr%5E65676ddd7825db46fd6c2b08302d9cdb452df16d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthecomeback.com%2Fmlb%2Fshohei-ohtani-wbc-stats-insane.html) – skills which are usually mutually exclusive in baseball – makes him a once-in-a-generation player, although it may be more appropriate to start calling him a once-in-a-century player. The US had jumped out to an early lead when shortstop Trea Turner belted a home run to left field in the top of the second inning. Although the crowd at LoanDepot Park seemed evenly split between Japanese and American factions, with frequent music and (a sincerely exhausting amount of) jumping up and down, it was the Japanese fans’ energy which electrified the stands for much of the game. Hurling fastballs at speeds of up to 101mph, Ohtani worked Trout to a full count before luring the US captain into swinging (and missing) at an 87mph sweeper for the final strike, and out, of the tournament. In the ninth inning, with Ohtani pitching and Japan just one out away from winning the championship, three-time AL MVP Mike Trout stepped up to the plate for Team USA. Most tellingly, during the player introductions before the game, it was Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani, rather than any of the American players, who received (by far) the loudest cheer.

Shohei Ohtani's strikeout of Mike Trout, Trea Turner's go-ahead, eighth-inning grand slam against Venezuela, Japan's walk-off semi-final win and Mexico's ...

... We have an opportunity to represent our countries and learn from our peers. "But we all love our countries and want to represent our countries. Injuries to Diaz and Altuve reinforced those concerns. Japan's victory sparked a nationwide celebration back home. But concerns about player health have followed the tournament since its inception. "This is kind of our Olympics.

The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights for USA vs. Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic championship game.

4 p.m. ET (4 p.m. - Start time: 7 p.m. First pitch for the United States' clash with Japan is set for 7 p.m. Kelly quick-pitched Yoshida a bit there, and he paints a four-seam on the corner for the third out of the inning. He throws a cutter down and away from Yamada, who chips it to Betts in right for the first out of the inning. -- Loup throws a curveball there on the inside part of the plate, and Kondoh skies it to center for the third out of the inning. -- Ohtani yanks one high and in to Anderson at second for the second out of the inning, and that is going to bring up Yoshida. -- Itoh gets Mullins half swinging half looking to get out of the inning clean, and that's a 1-2-3 inning for Japan. -- Adam gets Murakami swinging on a nice changeup for the first out of the inning, and that brings up Okamoto. -- Adam gets a slider over in the 2-2 count and gets USA out of the inning on a flyout to Betts in right! -- Trout takes an inside-out swing at a sinker and flies out to Kondoh in right for the first out of the inning.

In the end, Japan triumphed, becoming only the second team—after the Dominican Republic in 2013—to go unbeaten in the WBC competition. Although the field is ...

Both the Dominican Republic and the United States won in 2013 and 2017, respectively. [Team USA](/topic/team-usa), [Samurai Japan](/topic/samurai-japan), and the Dominican Republic. [Korea](/topic/korea), and [Puerto Rico](/topic/puerto-rico)twice were also runner-ups. Due to its third-place finishes in 2013 and 2017, it is the first team to advance to the semifinals all four years. The [United States](/topic/united-states)and [Japan](/topic/japan)appeared in the finals in a field of 20 teams, living up to their reputations, while the [Dominican Republic](/topic/dominican-republic)was unable to go past the pool round. Although the field is filled with talented athletes, only the Dominican Republic, Japan, and the United States have advanced to the finals so far.

No one will ever forget how Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout with two outs in the top of the ninth inning to solidify Japan's 3-2 victory and the country's ...

Major League Baseball should proudly bask in the joy that was delivered to fans thanks to the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Using the 2023 World Baseball Classic as a template, the United States and Japan each had played seven ball games over a two week period including travel and off days. Major League Baseball could still hold a four-day fan fest, first-year player draft at the outset of the festivities, and even a Sunday afternoon All-Star Futures Game with a return to the United States versus the World theme. [Major League Baseball](https://www.forbes.com/sites/waynemcdonnell/2023/03/06/potential-espn-streaming-endeavor-is-of-great-interest-to-major-league-baseball/?sh=2b21b5825625) as well as the international professional leagues who participate in the World Baseball Classic. What if once every four years Major League Baseball replaced the All-Star Game in July with the World Baseball Classic? Participation in the World Baseball Classic can add physical and mental intensity to a pitcher’s training regimen at the outset of spring training with the potential of injuries, burn out, and other negative effects lingering throughout the season. Not to be outdone, the six outfielders had accumulated a combined 22 All-Star selections, 17 Silver Sluggers, seven Gold Gloves, four Most Valuable Player Awards, two batting titles, and one Rookie of the Year. Scherzer left the door ajar for increased pitcher participation in the future if the World Baseball Classic had occurred during Major League Baseball’s regular season. The experience for fans would be vastly improved as conditioning for the pitchers would be in sync with the natural rhythms of the season. Some have even said that winning a World Baseball Classic championship means more to them than a World Series due to strong feelings of nationalism and a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their country in international competition. The 2023 World Baseball Classic was a resounding success as evident in attendance, viewership, and merchandise sales. Injuries to major league superstars such as second baseman Jose Altuve and right-handed relief pitcher Edwin Díaz might have dampened the joyous mood surrounding the World Baseball Classic, but their unfortunate circumstances should not be used as cautionary tales to discourage others from future participation.

It awed. It delighted. And it finished with Samurai Japan's third title, as MVP Shohei Ohtani whiffed Angels teammate Mike Trout for the final out. Initially, I ...

And with two outs and no men on, in a one-run game, with the title on the line, Trout entered the batter’s box to face his teammate. And then Ohtani, who’d challenged Trout with four triple-digit fastballs in a row, and who’d used his four-seamer to induce a double-play ball off the bat of Mookie Betts one at-bat earlier, switched things up. The game was baseball at its most suspenseful and spectacular, a triumph for the tournament and the sport at large. Heading into the final, a matchup between Ohtani and Trout was the dream. And there, in the bottom of the ninth inning, with Japan trailing 5-4, was Ohtani striding to the plate against Cardinals reliever Giovanny Gallegos. But a lineup as deep as the Americans’ offers no respite, and a walk, single, and HBP loaded the bases with no outs for no. There was Randy Arozarena, robbing a home run, celebrating with an intense stare, and signing autographs in the outfield during a pitching change. He’s the best player in baseball, and he delivered in the most meaningful games he’s played since joining the Angels in 2018. reliever Daniel Bard—two wild pitches, two walks, and one hit by pitch—had given Venezuela a 7-5 lead entering the eighth inning, with the bottom of the U.S. Given Puerto Rico’s historic success at the WBC, the 2023 edition may have registered as a relative disappointment: In the quarterfinals, Puerto Rico blew a lead and lost to Mexico. As a team, Mexico pounded 15 hits en route to 11 runs in the win, which propelled the eventual semifinalists to the top of Pool C. Against the U.S., he opened the scoring in the first inning with a two-run homer off Nick Martinez.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred on Tuesday spoke on the World Baseball Classic's return in 2026 prior to the United States-Japan final.

I think the World Series is always going to be the World Series, but I don’t see it as an either/or proposition. “I don’t foresee or actually want the tournament to be bigger than our traditional format,” he said. “You can’t play this event without insuring the players,” he said. “It’s an indication that they really, really care about the event.” manager Mark DeRosa said he told clubs that he would never have a pitcher warm up twice in the bullpen on the same day. We have talked about something in the middle of the season.

The World Baseball Classic finished in the most dramatic way possible, with global superstar Shohei Ohtani striking out his Angels teammate Mike Trout in an ...

At the plate, he batted .435/.606/.739, with nine runs scored, eight RBIs and a home run in seven games. The best player on the planet — sorry, Aaron Judge — has long talked about wanting to play in games that matter, wanting to be part of a team that competes for championships. With the players — star players — genuinely excited, the WBC felt less forced, less made-up, and that matters. And the 2026 event should be even better. Maybe it’s because, living in the United States, the most recent WBC title had been won by Team USA, and the perception was that there was a bit of carryover momentum. Maybe it’s because the return of the WBC represented another step back toward normalcy, after the 2021 event was delayed two years by the pandemic.

Shohei Ohtani's strikeout of Mike Trout, Trea Turner's go-ahead, eighth-inning grand slam against Venezuela, Japan's walk-off semi-final win and Mexico's ...

... We have an opportunity to represent our countries and learn from our peers. "But we all love our countries and want to represent our countries. Injuries to Diaz and Altuve reinforced those concerns. Japan's victory sparked a nationwide celebration back home. But concerns about player health have followed the tournament since its inception. "This is kind of our Olympics.

MIAMI — (AP) — Shohei Ohtani's strikeout of Mike Trout, Trea Turner's go-ahead, eighth-inning grand slam against Venezuela, Japan's walk-off semifinal win ...

Manfred said it is too early to determine whether there will be tweaks to the format. “Obviously, a lot of countries are getting better at the game of baseball,” U.S. “I thought Colombia, man, the arms they were running out there, they weren’t name guys, but everyone was sitting 92 to 95 (mph) and had pretty decent stuff.” All failed to advance past the group phase. The figures represent the percentage of television households tuned to a telecast. Japan drew three of the four most-watched WBC games ever back home going into the championship game, getting a 48.7 rating for the quarterfinal against Italy, 44.4 for the first-round game against South Korea and a 42.5 for the semifinal vs. “But we all love our countries and want to represent our countries. “One of the things that was really important this time around was Fox stepping up to broadcast the games,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said. ... We have an opportunity to represent our countries and learn from our peers. 1," the headline read in Japanese. Played in Miami, Phoenix, Tokyo and Taiwan, the star-studded WBC will finish with revenue of $90 million to $100 million, Major League Baseball said. We don’t get that opportunity to really play wherever the Olympics are at,” Kyle Schwarber said before the Americans lost to Japan 3-2 in Tuesday night’s final, when Ohtani fanned Trout to seal Japan’s first title since 2009 and third overall.

Shohei Ohtani's ability to dominate as a hitter and as a pitcher delivered a championship for Japan while establishing the World Baseball Classic as a ...

Soon Ohtani will be back in Tempe, Ariz., in spring training with the Angels and Trout, a three-time M.V.P. “We came here to surpass them, to reach the top.” Standing in the middle of the home clubhouse, Ohtani told the players to stop admiring their U.S. “He is a unicorn to the sport.” in 2021, he did something unprecedented last season, becoming the first player ever with enough plate appearances (666) and innings (166) to qualify for both the batting title and the E.R.A. Even Babe Ruth never hit and pitched in the same season, in the same volume, as Ohtani. He’s so diligent and he works so hard and he’s so meticulous about how he goes about his business that it’s not a surprise.” “All you’ve got to do is just be born to be able to throw a hundred and hit the ball 500 feet — there’s really not that much going into it,” said the St. “He’s doing something nobody has done in the past,” first baseman Kazuma Okamoto, who homered on Tuesday, said through an interpreter. He had four doubles and a homer, and earned his last hit, in the seventh inning Tuesday, by beating out an infield grounder. MIAMI — He strode to the mound with purpose, 6-foot-4 and full of muscle, a relief pitcher unlike any other. “This thing is real — the W.B.C.’s real,” said Mark DeRosa, the U.S.

One moment, between Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, made baseball feel, once again, like the most dramatic, joyful sport that there is.

It comes from the people who play, and the people who watch. an exhibition, or an inconvenience, or even—given the risk of injury to the game’s best players—a mistake. Then, up one, with two outs, he faced a teammate of his on the Angels, Mike Trout, the captain of Team U.S.A. In the seventh inning of the title game, he had beaten out an infield grounder for a hit, and his pants were smeared with dirt. The title game pitted Japan, winner of the first two W.B.C.s, against the United States, winner of the fourth and most recent tournament. The Angels have been a bad team for years. All-Star for the Los Angeles Angels, batted .435 with a .606 on-base percentage, including four doubles and a homer, for the tournament. The best pitchers give up a fair share of walks and long home runs. He walked the first batter he faced, then induced a double-play grounder. The season is long and iterative. And, in 2006, in consultation with other professional leagues from around the world, the league inaugurated an international tournament, the World Baseball Classic, to be held during that month of the most meaningless baseball, March. The best hitters fail around two-thirds of the time.

The World Baseball Classic generated its most-watched game telecast ever on U.S. TV, with Tuesday night's USA vs. Japan Final on FS1.

The quarterfinal between Japan and Italy drew a 48.7 TV rating in Japan, making it the most-watched game in WBC tournament history. It was up 69% from the last WBC Final in 2017. That made it the most-watched WBC game telecast ever on American TV.