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The DRAMATIC 🫣 end to the World Baseball Classic
You couldn't make this up if you tried.
Kate Magdziuk
March 22, 2023
The World Baseball Classic final was last night… and if you missed it, you missed some of the best drama that the sport of baseball has ever had to offer.
This ain’t your mama’s baseball, after all! This is the WBC, baby! And one team came prepared to remind us all of that…
🏆 Meet Team Japan — your 2023 World Baseball Classic champion. 🏆
Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images
After entering the WBC Final as underdogs to Team USA, Japan came out swinging (literally) to secure a lead in the second inning that they never
The drama wasn’t just about the win though, or the underdog story. The very best drama was the tale of two teammates…
Japan won the WBC in style.
TLDR; Shoehei Ohtani, pitcher and designated hitter for the Los Angeles Angels and arguably the best, most absurdly talented baseball player in the world, played for his home of Japan in the World Baseball Classic.
His Angels teammate, Mike Trout — rivaling Shohei Ohtani as arguably the best player in baseball — represented Team USA.
Now, picture this. Top of the ninth inning. Team USA is at bat, down by one run. This is the moment — now or never. Score, or go home. Good news for Team USA though… superstar Mike Trout is guaranteed an at-bat.
What does Japan do? THEY SEND SHOHEI OHTANI — HIS LOS ANGELES ANGELS TEAMMATE — TO PITCH AGAINST HIM.
Japan secures their first two outs on a double-play. Then steps up Mike Trout… who strikes out against Ohtani, officially handing them the coveted WBC victory.
Trout vs Ohtani lived up to the HYPE! #WorldBaseballClassic
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball)
2:52 AM • Mar 22, 2023
You couldn’t write this kind of ending if you tried. To see it come to life, with two of the most talented players this sport has to offer? That’s once-in-a-lifetime.
🔥 Japan’s broadcast = MUST-LISTEN 🔥
The moment was cool enough on the English broadcast, sure. But Japan’s call of the win is pure gold.
AS CALLED ON JAPANESE TV:
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog)
2:46 AM • Mar 22, 2023
😭😭😭 The emotion. I cannot.
Ohtani went on to be awarded World Baseball Classic MVP 😎
"He's a global brand.
He's the fastest runner.
He throws the hardest fastball.
He hits the longest ball."The 2023 WBC MVP: Shohei Ohtani. twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
— Front Office Sports (@FOS)
3:34 AM • Mar 22, 2023
Crown him the king of baseball and crown Japan king of the celly. This locker room was LIT. 🔥🔥🔥
A celebration of champions. 🏆 #WorldBaseballClassic
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball)
5:03 AM • Mar 22, 2023
RIP to all of the wasted Budweiser. 🪦 Dads of the world are FUMING right now.
Social media was 🔥 too
they’re literally just tossing the future highest paid athlete in north american sports history in the air 😭
— Jordan Cicchelli (@jordancicchelli)
3:16 AM • Mar 22, 2023
Caught this sick frame lol
— Kara Fagan (@karafagan)
2:47 AM • Mar 22, 2023
Approximately 97.4% of TVs in Japan were tuned in to watch Shohei Ohtani strike out Mike Trout to end the World Baseball Classic.
NINETY SEVEN . FOUR PERCENT
Just insane numbers. 2026 can’t come quick enough
— Barstool Baseball (@StoolBaseball)
1:36 PM • Mar 22, 2023
CONGRATULATIONS, TEAM JAPAN. ❤️ 🏆
FWIW — Shohei Ohtani has a pretty decent edge on Mike Trout for 2023 AL MVP... Bet now over at FanDuel Sportsbook. 🏆
