Top 10 games in World Baseball Classic history, ranked
Since its inception, the World Baseball Classic has been baseball’s premier worldwide event, bringing prime stars the world over collectively on one stage.
Over the years, the WBC has given us loads of big-time performances, unforgettable comebacks and surprising upsets, setting a excessive bar for iterations to return. Here’s a rating of the highest 10 video games in World Baseball Classic historical past.
1) Japan defeats South Korea 5-3 in 10 innings (2009 last)
A crowd of 54,846 witnessed a basic showdown at Dodger Stadium when Japan and South Korea met within the 2009 WBC last. It was a rubber match of types for the 2 international locations after Japan eradicated Korea from the 2006 WBC and Korea returned the favor when the 2 groups matched up within the semifinals on the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Japan was one out away from victory within the backside of the ninth inning earlier than Bum-ho Lee singled dwelling the tying run in opposition to Yu Darvish, sending the sport to further innings. However, Ichiro Suzuki performed the hero for Japan within the prime of the Tenth, lacing a two-out, two-strike single to middle subject that in the end gave Japan its second straight WBC title.
2) United States defeats Dominican Republic 6-3 (2017 second spherical)
In a recreation greatest remembered for Adam Jones’ iconic catch to rob Manny Machado of a would-be homer within the backside of the seventh inning, the United States knocked off the Dominican Republic to eradicate the defending WBC champs. With its dramatic loss to the D.R. earlier within the event recent in its thoughts, Team USA fell behind 2-0 within the first however tied it up within the third and took a 4-2 lead on Giancarlo Stanton’s two-run homer within the fourth, a 117.3-mph missile off the Western Metal Supply Co. constructing in left subject at Petco Park. Machado led off the underside of the seventh with a deep fly ball that seemed to be headed over the wall in right-center subject, however Jones soared by way of the air for an unforgettable seize, momentarily maintaining Team USA’s lead at two runs earlier than Robinson Canó adopted with a solo blast to left. The U.S. added some insurance coverage within the prime of the eighth and held on for the victory, advancing to the semifinals en path to the WBC title.
3) United States defeats Puerto Rico 6-5 (2009 second spherical)
Days after Puerto Rico handed the U.S. a humbling mercy-rule loss, the 2 groups met once more with a spot within the semifinals up for grabs. Just when P.R. regarded poised for an additional victory, taking a 5-3 lead into the ninth, Team USA put collectively an exciting rally that ended on a walk-off, two-run single from David Wright, who’d earn the nickname “Captain America” for his WBC exploits in 2009 and 2013.
4) Netherlands defeats Dominican Republic 2-1 in 11 innings (2009 first spherical)
With a loaded roster led by MLB All-Stars equivalent to Robinson Canó, David Ortiz and Hanley Ramírez, the Dominican Republic was the group many anticipated to win the WBC crown in 2009. But the Netherlands made positive the Dominican group didn’t even make it out of the primary spherical. After the Netherlands edged the D.R. 3-2 earlier within the first spherical, the 2 international locations matched up once more in a win-or-go-home recreation that noticed neither rating for the primary 10 innings. José Bautista broke the scoreless tie within the prime of the eleventh, however the Netherlands tied it up on Eugene Kingsale’s RBI single within the backside of the body and walked it off after D.R. first baseman Willy Aybar misplayed a pointy grounder behind the bag.
5) Israel defeats South Korea 2-1 in 10 innings (2017 first spherical)
Making its World Baseball Classic debut, Israel pulled off the largest upset in WBC historical past with a dramatic victory over South Korea in Seoul to open the 2017 event. Scott Burcham delivered the go-ahead knock for Israel with two outs within the prime of the Tenth, and Josh Zeid threw three scoreless frames to earn the win. Israel continued its magical run with wins over Chinese Taipei and the Netherlands to advance from Pool A and gained its first recreation of the second spherical earlier than bowing out with losses to the Netherlands and Japan.
6) Puerto Rico defeats Netherlands 4-3 in 11 innings (2017 semifinal)
While this recreation went 11 innings, the turning level for Puerto Rico got here within the first. The Netherlands jumped out to a 2-0 lead within the opening body, however P.R.’s deficit may have been a lot worse if not for catcher Yadier Molina, who threw out two runners on the bases. The first out got here after Molina caught Andrelton Simmons straying too far off second base, beginning a rundown that ended when Simmons was tagged out between second and third. Jurickson Profar adopted with a single to place runners on the corners with one out, however as he celebrated his hit, Molina threw behind him at first base to catch him off the bag. The subsequent batter, Wladimir Balentien, swatted a two-run homer to place the Netherlands on the board, however Puerto Rico shortly knotted it up on a huge fly by Carlos Correa within the backside of the primary. The two groups performed to a 3-3 tie into extras earlier than Eddie Rosario lifted a sacrifice fly to middle subject within the eleventh, scoring Correa and placing Puerto Rico within the last.
7) Dominican Republic defeats United States 7-5 (2017 first spherical)
Though the stakes have been greater when these two groups squared off within the second spherical, this recreation deserves consideration as properly. After falling behind 5-0, the D.R. fought again to chop Team USA’s result in two runs and pulled forward on Nelson Cruz’s three-run homer off Andrew Miller within the backside of the eighth inning. The win, a part of an undefeated opening spherical for the D.R., made it clear the defending champs have been going to be a tricky out once more.
8) Dominican Republic defeats Colombia 10-3 in 11 innings (2017 first spherical)
The third recreation on this record involving the 2017 Dominican group, this one was a lot nearer than the ultimate rating makes it appear. Colombia tied the sport on Jorge Alfaro’s solo homer within the backside of the eighth and was inches away from dealing the D.R. its first WBC loss because the 2009 event, however José Bautista’s correct throw from left subject and Welington Castillo’s slick tag on the plate prevented Oscar Mercado from scoring the game-winning run on a would-be sac fly within the backside of the ninth. Two innings later, the D.R. erupted for seven runs to place Colombia away and earn its eleventh straight WBC victory.
9) Italy defeats Mexico 10-9 (2017 first spherical)
After an early exit from the 2013 WBC due partly to a surprising loss to Italy within the first spherical, Mexico noticed historical past repeat itself within the 2017 event, this time on its dwelling turf. Facing Italy at Estadio de Béisbol Charros de Jalisco, Mexico took a 9-5 lead into the underside of the ninth however was unable to place its counterpart away. Italy rallied for 5 runs, capped by a walk-off, two-run single from John Andreoli, to stun Mexico once more.
10) Canada defeats United States 8-6 (2006 first spherical)
Despite having a roster consisting largely of Minor Leaguers, Canada surprised closely favored Team USA within the opening spherical of the inaugural World Baseball Classic. The Canadian squad raced out to an 8-0 lead, 4 of them pushed in by Adam Stern, who had an inside-the-park homer within the fifth inning. Jason Varitek hit a grand slam throughout a six-run fifth inning for the U.S., however the comeback try fell brief after Stern made a leaping catch on the wall on Chase Utley’s deep fly ball with two on and two out within the backside of the eighth. It’s nonetheless one of many greatest upsets in event historical past.
United States defeats Japan 2-1 (2017 semifinal)
Though it despatched the defending champs packing with its win over the Dominican Republic within the second spherical, Team USA nonetheless had work to do to succeed in its first WBC last. Up subsequent was Japan, unbeaten in its first six video games of the event. Tanner Roark (4 scoreless innings) and 5 relievers mixed to carry Japan to at least one run on 4 hits, and the U.S. took the lead within the eighth on Adam Jones’ RBI groundout, persevering with its march towards historical past.
Venezuela defeats Italy 11-10 in 10 innings (2017 first spherical)
One recreation after its exceptional comeback win in opposition to Mexico, Italy performed one other thriller, popping out on the shedding finish in opposition to Venezuela. The Venezuelan squad erased a 5-0 deficit and pulled forward for good on Martín Prado’s Tenth-inning double (his fifth hit of the day) after squandering 8-5 and 10-8 leads. The two groups would play once more in a tiebreaker recreation two days later, and Venezuela prevailed in one other one-run recreation after a ninth-inning rally to eradicate Italy and advance to the second spherical.
Puerto Rico defeats Japan 3-1 (2013 semifinal)
Facing the two-time defending champs, Puerto Rico ensured there would not be a three-peat with an in depth win over Japan within the 2013 semis. Alex Rios had the massive blow for P.R., crushing a two-run homer within the prime of the seventh inning.
Dominican Republic defeats United States, 3-1 (2013 second spherical)
After an early exit from the 2009 World Baseball Classic, the D.R. got here again with a vengeance in 2013, profitable all eight video games it performed on its solution to its first WBC title. The United States gave the Dominican group one in all its hardest matchups, as the 2 sides performed to a 1-1 tie by way of eight innings on this second-round recreation. The D.R. rallied in opposition to Craig Kimbrel within the prime of the ninth, with Erick Aybar and José Reyes delivering RBI singles after Nelson Cruz doubled to steer off the body.
Dominican Republic defeats Italy 5-4 (2013 second spherical)
Despite Italy’s greatest efforts, the Dominican group’s undefeated run by way of the 2013 WBC continued because it stormed again after falling behind 4-0 within the first inning. After José Reyes and Robinson Canó hit solo homers within the third and sixth, respectively, the D.R. pulled forward with a three-run seventh capped by Nelson Cruz’s go-ahead single.
Cuba defeats Dominican Republic 3-1 (2006 semifinal)
After narrowly edging Puerto Rico in San Juan to advance to the semifinals, Cuba gained one other shut one in opposition to the D.R., scoring thrice within the seventh and holding on for the victory to maneuver on to a championship recreation matchup in opposition to Japan.
Mexico defeats United States 2-1 (2006 second spherical)
Needing a win to advance to the semifinals, a star-studded U.S. lineup was held to only three hits and one run by eight pitchers, and Mexico scored the go-ahead run within the fifth after Team USA supervisor Buck Martinez made the choice to carry seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens from the sport with two on and one out. Jorge Cantu adopted with a single off reliever Scot Shields, plating the decisive tally.
United States defeats Japan 4-3 (2006 second spherical)
After falling behind 3-0, Team USA scored 4 unanswered runs, the final on a walk-off single by Alex Rodriguez with two outs within the backside of the ninth. The recreation was marred by controversy, as Japan had the go-ahead run taken off the board within the eighth after umpire Bob Davidson dominated Tsuyoshi Nishioka out for tagging up too early. Japan acquired the final snort, nonetheless, when Mexico upset the U.S. days later. As a end result, Japan, Mexico and the U.S. all completed with a 1-2 document within the second spherical. Japan superior to the ultimate 4 by way of tiebreaker alongside South Korea, Cuba and the Dominican Republic and went on to win the inaugural WBC title.
