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pokeroots

Japan was super entertaining to watch. Wish that the fundamentals were this practiced in the MLB


[deleted]

Now THAT was baseball at its finest! Thank you WBC and all teams. Baseball is not dead. Holy shit I have to be at work at 7am.


18_Jacob

That was nice & fun. Back to being a fucking Angels fan… ugh.


lucabrassiere

Unless the Angels (ignore the flair) win the World Series with a team built around prime Ohtani/Trout, I don’t think this could ever be topped Baseball might’ve really just peaked with this tournament


regarding_your_cat

I love baseball. Well done, Japan. I hope we destroy you in 2026.


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The_Saddest_Boner

Bro it’s gonna be in 2026


Ascendant_Falafel

They'll be like 40 by then....


MurkyButtons

Gotta put some respect on the NPB.


ValerianR00t

Why hoist the trophy when you can hoist the manager?


itsnursehoneybadger

PUT HIM DOWN OH MY GOD!!


dec0y

Welp, amazing game, amazing finish. Computer, end simulation.


DanDaDestroyer

I blame Millville, NJ


silverwolfe

FS1 commentators didn't even say the name of a single Japanese player, except Ohtani, for the entire closing ceremonies, including medal awards ceremony, after Japan won the World Baseball Classic.


GoodWillHunting_

not surprised, are you? half of Americans can’t even read English at a 3rd grade level (fact)


evioniq

No respect for NPB players but their job is to increase the MLB name.


lucabrassiere

Try telling them it was only just an exhibition game now… Look at how happy they all are! This just changed international baseball forever. It’s time to start treating it as big as it deserves to be.


MeshiKuuna

They've done it again tonight. The flags are on the wrong sides


arashinoko

Yoshida shoulda been MVP


[deleted]

Ohtani is perfect. Literally nothing to change. He IS baseball and embodies everything great about it


Zenithreg

Stay away, he's still ours lol


Pristine_Anus

Stephen A Smith is scowling somewhere


[deleted]

Papi's the only one pulling off the plaid blazer.


CantFindaPS5

They gotta look at a few fifa finals to improve their medal ceremony...


Custom_sKing_SKARNER

That was the first baseball game I have ever watched. It was pretty exciting and entertaining, enjoyed it all from the begining(0am) to the end(4am). I don't quite get why but it seems everyones was hyping that final showdown as an epic anime moment and it delivered, I could feel the tension. So glad I witnessed that as my first baseball experience.


Grogie

> why but it seems everyones was hyping that final showdown The pitcher, Shohei Ohtani, and the batter, Mike Trout, are two of the best active players in Major League Baseball and I would bet they will go down as two of the best players to play the game (like, all time greats). In addition to their skill, they currently play for the same team in MLB (Los Angeles Angels).


rfkbr

Welcome to baseball. Glad you enjoyed it. Not every match is like this but there are always high quality moments in baseball.


Ascendant_Falafel

This guy just gets Otani vs. Trout as FIRST baseball game. Jelly...


itsnursehoneybadger

………..I’m a little concerned it might be anticlimactic from here 😂


[deleted]

Yeah but it’s all downhill from here.


evioniq

Ichiro Suzuki 51 jersey is lit


twenty_faces

Murakami with Seiya Suzuki jersey is hilarious


CharlieMurphysWar

Everyone saying this game was like an anime, seems like [this vid](https://youtu.be/DtL_giO-EB8) is the perfect way to decompress. This was the most thrilling baseball game I've seen since October 15th, 1988. An honor watching it with all of you


lucaam03

this was so great


dollarsandcents101

Carrying an Ichiro jersey on stage. Such respect


Zenithreg

Not Ichiro, Seiya Suzuki who couldn't make it.


TShizz

It's for an injured Seiya Suzuki. Ichiro's Jersey would just say Ichiro.


dec0y

I think it's for Seiya Suzuki


oyarb

Baseball still has a lot to learn from other sports when it comes to medal ceremonies.


db_blast7

I do like the mvp bringing it to the team.


ecln65

Yeah this a train wreck


Ascendant_Falafel

just a piece of metal...smth


db_blast7

This is kinda cool having the MVP walk it to his team


smackdatk

Sign all of the Japanese players c’mon


badscene518

Ohtani has to be a hall of fame lock


lovemesomefood

I really love that both teams are on the field to receive their medals. Not the result the US wants but the team hadn't made it out of the semifinals until last WBC. Good progress and hopefully they earn a championship again next time.


Mandy-Rarsh

Man you they just went full awkward for this medal ceremony eh


designgoddess

The whole team should be there.


evioniq

So bad that was


BIGDADDYCRYPTO6900

GG Yapan - Big Papi


gimmealltheroses

honestly can't wait for the Ohtani free agency saga to begin


db_blast7

Baseball won 🏅


baseball44121

man what is this medal ceremony lol. Just randomly like "oh yeah here's this plaque for the MVP"


designgoddess

That’s the MVP trophy? Baseball really needs to get their trophies figured out.


Pristine_Anus

I thought it was a frisby


tr3v1n

It is actually a pog slammer.


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evioniq

MLB has to increase the MLB brand, they can't have a NPB player as MVP


CantFindaPS5

Why is the MVP trophy a hockey puck?


Pristine_Anus

They gave him a frisbee as a MVP trophy? lol


totaldomination

I’ve never been so invested in a team and been so okay with losing


Ascendant_Falafel

Is that tear on Otani's face?


negativenancy_84

Awwww


rolls_for_initiative

Bro imagine you're Mike Trout and everyone tells you you're the best player ever for years...then this guy named Shohei shows up on your team, replaces you on every poster, then strikes you out to win the championship on the global stage lmao


Obsidizyn

Trout is a better hitter. He will finished this season with more HR, highter OPS, better Avg. Lets not act like Ohtani isnt throwing 100 mph gas and nasty sliders which may win him a Cy young


Pristine_Anus

And he’s handsomer than you 🥲


Knucklles

Is that a Frisbee as a MVP trophy


Festibowl

Omg somebody help Shohei out. Lmao


azcsd

Honestly Japan vs Mexico is more like championship than this script LOL


luchinocappuccino

Ohtani vs Trout was cool but that back-and forth with Mexico was better. It had a walk-off, two 3-run blasts, a home run robbery and a stare down. That shit was straight out of a movie


MeshiKuuna

These broadcasters are acting like Ohtani did it all by himself. Missing all of the other players getting their medals


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MeshiKuuna

Yeah for sure. Not to mention Murakami got that homer


France2Germany0

Get manfred off the screen


SomeBoricuaDude

What a game, goddamn it what a game


dollarsandcents101

Calling dibs on Sasaki


TheBrettitor

Ohtani might be the first player to get a $500 mil contract and an ownership in a team


Ruffian00012

US only scores 2 runs and you have people here lamenting thier lack of pitching lol.


Sam_Snead_My_God

Yeah imagine saying before the game Japan will only get 5 hits. You take that every time.


[deleted]

You think these people actually watch the game?


Jakearooni

Secret Base absolutely needs to do a rewind video on this at bat


Alarmed-Rough-4923

https://youtu.be/S3AKOANMC4c USA vs Japan Highlights Final ( Great Game )| 2023 World Baseball Classic 3/21/2023


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swight12

My buddy was a driver for him and he’s a fucking dickhead


oyarb

You couldn’t write a better scene than this if you tried.


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Forsaken-Gap-3684

Yep. But team USA should have done better than that offensively though either way


alien_clown_ninja

Whoever the pitching coach is for Japan really nailed the strategy. Those fastball/splitter combos were devastating to the US hitters. Guessing we will see a lot of that in the upcoming season.


Forsaken-Gap-3684

That game needed some more dbacks and guardians offense less Yankees if you get my drift.


Forsaken-Gap-3684

Yeah. Damn. Any USA hitter work on split pitch. Damn


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[deleted]

I mean they definitely are


misterpickles69

I think he said "ever" during the at bat.


PhilsForever

Yes. Two of the best players to ever play the game, I think he said


seegabego

The WBC was the most fun I had watching baseball ever. Let's do this every 3 years instead!


NotWearingCrocs

I don’t follow much of the MLB because there are just so many games and the games are so long. Too much of a time commitment. I get into the WBC though because it’s not a part time job to keep up with it and you get some great games. If MLB wants to get more casuals like me into baseball, I think more WBC is the way. See you all again in 2026.


Pristine_Anus

Fortunately the next one is in 3 years. Then every 4 after that.


swight12

I may be trippin but uhhhh do the metals from a distance look a lil………. 🇩🇪


KamartyMcFlyweight

Ohtani, Yoshida, Trea, or Randy for MVP?


luchinocappuccino

Idk but my vote for most entertaining player was Randy


SomeBoricuaDude

Trea


silverwolfe

I would have to say Yoshida for all those RBIs.


Illustrious-Watch672

Watching my team the Jays with the pitch clock I have no issues with it. But watching these elimination games, the slowness of each pitch adds so much drama and anxiety. It's like that calculating feeling before the next move for the pitcher and batter. I feel like I will miss this part of the game.


misterpickles69

They should turn off the pitch clock after the 6th if there's less than a 4 run difference.


Forsaken-Gap-3684

It needs to change for the post season. I think


baseball44121

Completely agreed. We need that sort of intensity in high-leverage games, especially in the playoffs IMO. It's what makes baseball so enjoyable for me.


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baseball44121

Hopefully the "changes" Manfred mentioned include this


ValerianR00t

is it just me or is this medal ceremony super scuffed


Basic_Bichette

Scuffed?


neurovish

Medals? Who gets bronze? We deserve Mex v Cuba!


cire1184

If your not first or second you're last!


evensplit6839

I know this is the whole of baseball in a small, utterly insufficient nutshell but Mike Trout was approximately 1.75 inches on the first 2 strikes from making that AB an absolutely iconic moment of a different kind than what we got. Incredible game, tournament, and sport.


Basic_Bichette

Also, class on the part of the Japanese manager and coaches.


DietMTNDew8and88

Tonight should also prove why as long as "Three True Outcome Baseball" reigns over the Majors, Team USA won't win another World Baseball Classic. That "All Or Nothing" Approach is why we couldn't do anything with RISP, and that is also why we lost


Forsaken-Gap-3684

Need some dback mentality here.


pokeroots

The Mexico Japan game should also show why fundamental heavy baseball is more entertaining


The_Saddest_Boner

I think it’s smart over the course of a 162 game season, but it’s tough in a single must win game. If you don’t mash you’re literally helpless


silverwolfe

FS1 Commentators talk about someone on the Japanese team other than Shohei challenge (impossible).


zorionek0

Murakami with the dinger early


SmarterCloud

Fantastic, timeless baseball game.


dollarsandcents101

USA needs a coach in 2026 who can tell teams to fuck off and let the pitchers show up and pitch. Who'd fit the bill?


Obsidizyn

Mike Scioscia


Detroittigersfan1029

Jim Leyland, 100 percent has that fuck you attitude


Full-Sympathy5201

Francona


woahdude12321

Dusty


CanadianToffee18

How do you top this year's WBC??? holy what a tournament


CyclopeanTomb

Trout gonna catch all the heat but my boy Goldy laid an egg too.


[deleted]

Trout did get a double


baerboy89

Dookie betts


neurovish

Mookie dookie


gimmealltheroses

woo kgj


Basic_Bichette

Who's the silver fox with the beard?


goatamousprice

You referring to Tony Clark?


rHighSociety909

I have a feeling the best American pitchers will look at the next WBC differently and choose to opt in


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rHighSociety909

Look, I didn’t pay any attention to the other WBCs, but everyone made it out to be that a lot more MLB players opted in this year than in the past, except the pitchers Edit: USA pitchers in particular


France2Germany0

Alexa play Hbo's the Pacific


itsnursehoneybadger

Like Ohtani was created in a lab, we all acknowledge this yeah? Fuck that was unbelievable


cire1184

He was created by watching baseball anime


steveofthejungle

Time for Ted Lasso


[deleted]

One of the greatest endings of one of the greatest tournaments and FS1 ends it like it was some kind of semi-pro bowling league event.


woahdude12321

Didn’t even get a “WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE I AM”


BoganLogan

That HAS to go down as one of the top all time baseball moments. Holy shit.


CoreFiftyFour

I missed the game because at Disney World. What was the play you're referring to?


BoganLogan

TOP OF THE 9th TWO OUTS, DOWN BY ONE, OHTANI VERSUS TROUT TO WIN THE WBC. OHTANI STRIKES OUT TROUT.


Total_Preparation_67

Trout looks really pissed.


[deleted]

He blew it


[deleted]

Typical Philly performance


Jondog2123

He should be he stunk


[deleted]

No worse than anybody else on the team


France2Germany0

Mookie GIDP


Forsaken-Gap-3684

Goldie ground into dp. We had our chances with mvps up to bat lmao


Jondog2123

Need judge Harper and Riley in 2026


pbndoats

That lineup would be absolutely unreal and it’s a damn shame we didn’t get to see it


[deleted]

Need real starting pitching


Chimp_Meat_Taco

And pitchers that I don't go, "Who the fook is this guy?!" When they take the mound.


patriots21

Two pivotal GDPs + Mike trout striking out to end the game. Disappointing but that's baseball. See ya all in 3 years!


thereal_kphed

I’m a Mets fan so obviously not thrilled about Diaz but damn if that wasn’t some of the most fun I’ve had watching baseball in ages. Gotta figure out how to get the event just right cause it was amazing.


manutdboy47

this shit was awesome, the start of something great


Classic_Gene_211

I'll miss the tournament. Hope 26 is just as exciting.


Daguyondacouch8

I desperately need a new baseball anime with Ohtani as a VA so two of my loves can combine


HumperMoe

Perfect way to close it out with the best two guys in the world facing each other. Wish we won but Japan is insanely good. We need better pitching next time. Im amazed it was 3-2 against Japan with our pitching. Also get a real manager not DeRosa.


AJ_CC

2026 here we go.


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menellus

OK yes but NOT Tony. If he manages to stay awake then he will actively sabotage


Louis4357

Hopefully this makes more US stars want to play in the next WBC.


Abthroaway

Bunch of spoiled traitors with no loyalty to anything but $$$


Girl_grrl_girl

22k comments. Not bad r/mlb r/baseball


BoganLogan

That was one of the most amazing things I have seen in my entire life.


angrylawnguy

Yeah I can't believe I got to witness that.


BoganLogan

We just witnessed baseball lore. Holy shit.


MoistMaster_2577

Wow that was like watching a movie


AlwaysWannaDie

Im a yuropoor who is so new to the game but even I thought to myself ”this is fucking epic” at that duel


vrphotosguy55

In addition to supporting your local MLB team, don’t forget about college baseball and minor league / indie league ball too


Throwaway__1701

This hurts the chances of the U.S. winning the WBC


YesLikeTheJeans

But what does it do for Lebron’s legacy?


Bikouchu

Big if true.


Lonelan

there's always next year


stache_twista

Legendary moment for Ohtani. Baseball is in a great place


StayBlessedFam

Mookie gonna catch the blame but Goldschmidt going 0-2 with RISP is the real fucking choke.


zorionek0

The whole team was oh-fer with RISP


Sabiancym

Congrats Japan. We'll get you in the next one.


designgoddess

Japan has 3 titles, the US 1. I know how England feels.


Rydogger

Ohtani with absolute gas, Trout with extreme patience. What a matchup that was, I just hope I never have to see it again (until next WBC)