The World Baseball Classic final between the US and Japan was undoubtedly lively, but one thing became crystal clear: Japan was the home team in the hearts of the fans. The atmosphere at LoanDepot Park was electric, with enthusiastic fans from both countries, but it was the Japanese fans who really brought their A-game. From the music to the jumping, the energy in the stands was infectious. Honestly, it was a bit exhausting just watching them! All in all, it was a thrilling game that brought together fans from all over the world.
The MLB game was off to a roaring start, but the most captivating moment came before the first pitch was even thrown. During player introductions, it was clear that Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani was the main draw of the evening. The crowd erupted in cheers as he made his way onto the field. Ohtani’s ability to draw a crowd is no secret – even fans from overseas made the effort to see him in action. Two fans from Okinawa, Shoko Mitomi and Kyoji Kimura, explained that they attended the game with one purpose in mind: to watch Ohtani. It’s safe to say that this player has become a fan favorite not just in America, but worldwide.
Shohei Ohtani is a name that will surely go down in baseball history. The fact that he excels at both pitching and hitting is something that is rarely seen in the sport. In fact, it’s been over a century since anyone has achieved the kind of statistics that Ohtani did in Tuesday’s final. It’s no wonder that many are calling him a once-in-a-century player. But despite his incredible performance, it was the final out of the game that left fans on the edge of their seats. The contest’s epic final out will be etched in the memories of fans for years to come. All in all, Ohtani’s abilities and achievements are nothing short of remarkable, and he is truly a force to be reckoned with in the world of baseball.
In the nail-biting ninth inning of the World Baseball Classic championship game, all eyes were on the pitcher-batter showdown between Japan’s Ohtani and Team USA’s Mike Trout. As if the tension wasn’t high enough, these two players are also teammates on the Los Angeles Angels. With Ohtani hurling fastballs at speeds of up to 101mph, Trout was working to help his team to victory. However, with a full count on the board, Ohtani managed to throw an 87mph sweeper that lured Trout into swinging, and ultimately missing, securing Japan’s win. It was a poetic ending to a thrilling game, and every baseball fan got the matchup they had been waiting for since the WBC’s rosters were first announced.
The cheers erupted from the stands as Japan’s team celebrated their victory, but the significance of the moment was not lost on anyone watching. What had started out as a promising game for the Americans quickly turned into a nail-biter as Japan’s pitching proved too strong for the US’s scattered offensive bursts. Even with shortstop Trea Turner‘s impressive home run and consistent strong performance, it was not enough to overcome the precision of Japan’s pitchers. However, the crowd’s admiration for Turner, who tied the tournament record for home runs, remained, and the “M-V-P” chants continued as he reached base once more in the eighth inning. Despite the loss, it was a thrilling and memorable game that highlighted the importance of teamwork and perseverance in the world of baseball.
Despite the disappointment felt by US fans at their team’s defeat, the baseball world as a whole has plenty to cheer about following the thrilling action of the WBC. With more star players than ever before taking to the field, this year’s tournament has proven to be a huge success by all measures. Over a million fans have attended games in-person, smashing the previous attendance record by nearly twice as much. With record-breaking merchandise sales and impressive TV ratings, the WBC has cemented its reputation as one of the premier international sporting events. Baseball fans across the globe, Americans included, can take delight in the thrilling spectacle that has taken place over the past few weeks.
Football fever has hit Japan hard as over 62 million viewers tuned in to watch their team play against South Korea earlier in the tournament. That’s an astounding 49% of the entire country’s population! It’s even more impressive when you consider that this is more people than have ever watched a single MLB game. As the tournament progresses, it’s clear that the excitement for football continues to grow, and the viewership for Tuesday’s final is expected to be even higher. With such an immense fan following, it’s no wonder that the world of football is taking notice of Japan’s passion for the sport.
For Lisa and Johnny Sansom, baseball is more than just a sport, it’s a passion. As enthusiastic supporters of their local major league team, the Texas Rangers, they know all too well the excitement of a good game. But, their love for the sport goes beyond that. They’ve traveled all the way to Arizona to watch the Rangers in spring training, and even more impressively, they’ve fallen in love with the more ethereal, less quantitative realm of baseball – the World Baseball Classic. From the crowds and the enthusiasm to the players and the atmosphere, Lisa and Johnny find themselves drawn to the WBC games in a way that they can’t quite explain. In fact, they committed themselves to attending Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday’s games. Their passion for the sport is palpable and their dedication to it unwavering.
The World Baseball Classic brought together fans from all around the world to celebrate their love for the sport. While the in-game atmosphere was undeniably compelling at all of the tournament’s sites, Miami’s status as one of Latin America’s unofficial “capitals” allowed this location to truly showcase baseball’s global fanbase. As a result, attendees from Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and many other countries proudly adorned hats, jerseys, flags, and other paraphernalia at the games. Although USA and Japan jerseys predominantly filled the stands at the final game, the diverse and cosmopolitan nature of Miami was evidenced by the large percentage of non-US/Japan jerseys. When the US scored, the entire crowd, regardless of team allegiance, jumped out of their seats to celebrate. The WBC truly exemplified the worldwide reach and enthusiasm that baseball has come to represent.
Although the 2023 World Baseball Classic boasted numerous exciting moments, the tournament was not without its fair share of controversy. One of the most significant points of contention revolved around the increased injury risks that players faced, particularly those who had recently come off their off-season. Many domestic clubs were worried about the long-term impact on their players and, unfortunately, these concerns materialized for both Edwin Díaz and José Altuve. Both players, All-Stars for the New York Mets and Houston Astros, respectively, will miss a substantial amount of time due to injuries sustained at this year’s WBC. The situation has fueled a larger conversation about the importance of player safety, and it remains to be seen what actions, if any, the league will take to address this issue moving forward.
Baseball has long been considered “America’s pastime,” and the presence of American-born players on multiple other countries’ teams only reinforces this perception. While the sport may have global pretensions, the prevalence of these players can lend an air of faux-internationalism to the proceedings. The near-universal presence of American players on international rosters can raise questions about the authenticity of a team’s national identity. Even countries like Japan, Israel, and Italy, which fielded teams consisting almost exclusively of US-raised players, could be seen as lacking a true connection to their respective nations. Even nations like the United Kingdom and the Bahamas, which have historically weak baseball programs, found themselves trailing the US when it came to contributing players to Great Britain’s roster. Ultimately, while these American-born players may bring a level of skill and experience to their respective teams, they also raise questions about the nature of national identity in sports.
Despite various complaints, the World Baseball Classic (WBC) has achieved significant success in promoting international sporting opportunities. While pre-season injuries are not unique to the WBC, the tournament has seen its fair share of talented players missing out due to ligament tears and muscle strains. Moreover, leveraging multiple nationalities to identify the best sporting opportunity is a common practice that is not specific to baseball alone. We have seen New Zealand and South African accents in England’s national rugby and cricket teams for years. Therefore, it is challenging to find a critique of this year’s WBC tournament that is not also relevant to international sports in general. Despite criticism, the WBC has played an integral role in promoting international friendship through sports, and it will continue to be a significant event in the sporting calendar.
