Japan Beats Team USA to Win the World Baseball Classic

Japan at the World Baseball Classic Final in March 2023
Japan at the World Baseball Classic Final in March 2023. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI/Shutterstock (13838879an)

Japan won its third World Baseball Classic title on Tuesday night by beating Team USA in a 3-2 finals thriller. The showdown was decided by the clash of Los Angeles Angels’ teammates Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout in the ninth inning, which saw Japan’s two-way star striking out the three-time AL MVP.

Ohtani and Trout facing each other when the stakes were highest will go down as the most memorable moment of the 2023 edition of the WBC. It was the first time that fans got to see two of the biggest baseball stars playing on opposite sides and possibly the last ones.

“This is the best moment in my life,” said Ohtani after the game. “I’ve seen Japan winning and just wanted to be part of it. I really appreciate that I was able to have this great experience.”

Ohtani claimed the MVP of the tournament honors thanks to his contribution on both the mound and at the plate. He pitched 1.86 ERA and 11 strikeouts while batting .435 with a home run and four doubles.

Japan, who was undefeated at the 2023 WBC, remains the most decorated nation in tournament history, having also won the first two editions in 2006 and 2010. The United States remains one-time champions, with Team USA winning it all in 2017.

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