Top 10 moments of 2023 World Baseball Classic
But whereas the 2023 Classic could also be over, it will not quickly be forgotten.
Here are the ten most memorable moments from a match that thrilled us from begin to end.
1. Ohtani followers Trout to clinch title
You may hardly have scripted a greater remaining matchup for the 2023 World Baseball Classic — Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, sometimes Angels teammates, now adversaries representing their respective nations with the championship up for grabs. Called on within the ninth inning to guard Japan’s 3-2 lead over Team USA within the title recreation, Ohtani obtained the higher of Trout in their epic showdown, hanging him out with a depraved 3-2 sweeper to complete off Japan’s undefeated match run. Ohtani was named World Baseball Classic MVP following Japan’s triumph.
2. Japan walks off Mexico on Murakami’s double
A tense, thrilling recreation between Japan and Mexico couldn’t have had a extra thrilling conclusion. With Japan trailing, 5-4, within the backside of the ninth inning of a back-and-forth recreation, Munetaka Murakami crushed a Giovanny Gallegos fastball off the wall in left-center subject. Shohei Ohtani scored from second with the tying run, and Ukyo Shuto — due to some good baserunning instincts — scored from first properly forward of the throw. Murakami’s double ended Mexico’s WBC run and despatched Japan to the title contest in opposition to the U.S.
3. Turner slams Venezuela
After going undefeated in pool play, Venezuela confronted off in opposition to Team USA within the quarterfinals and seemed to be on the verge of ousting the defending World Baseball Classic champions when it took a 7-5 lead into the eighth. However, United States shortstop Trea Turner had different plans, belting an 0-2 pitch from Venezuela righty Silvino Bracho deep to left subject for a go-ahead grand slam within the prime of the body and placing Team USA on a path to the semifinals. Turner ended up tying a WBC single-tournament report with 5 homers, together with two within the semifinals in opposition to Cuba and one other within the championship in opposition to Japan.
4. Yoshida hits game-tying house run in semifinals
It wasn’t even a nasty pitch. But Masataka Yoshida made it look that approach. The Japanese slugger — signed this offseason by the Boston Red Sox — lifted a 2-2 slider on the knees and simply off the within nook from Mexico’s JoJo Romero deep to proper subject within the backside of the seventh inning, with the ball hitting excessive up on the right-field foul pole. Yoshida’s three-run blast turned the tide within the WBC semifinal, bringing his staff even with Mexico, 3-3, and setting the stage for Japan’s eventual walk-off win.
5. Randy strikes a pose after house run theft
Like he did within the 2020 postseason for the Rays, Arozarena got here up large within the clutch time and time once more for Mexico in the course of the 2023 Classic — each along with his bat and along with his glove. Although Mexico finally misplaced a 6-5 heartbreaker to Japan within the semifinals, Arozarena’s homer theft and subsequent pose within the backside of the fifth inning shall be one of many lasting recollections from the match. Arozarena made the play look straightforward, finding Kensuke Kondoh’s towering fly ball and completely timing his bounce earlier than snatching the would-be homer out of the air on the left-field wall.
6. Lindor’s “Little League” homer
With Puerto Rico holding a 4-1 lead over the Dominican Republic within the remaining recreation of Pool D, Francisco Lindor laced a breaking ball into heart subject for a single — or so everybody thought. Center fielder Julio Rodríguez tried to play the ball on a hop, however it skipped proper by him and rolled all the way in which to the wall. Lindor was properly round second by the point Rodríguez reached the baseball, and second baseman Ketel Marte couldn’t decide up the relay throw from the outfield. Marte stood and watched as Lindor slid headfirst into house plate, a crowd of jubilant teammates round him. Puerto Rico knocked out the Dominican Republic with a 5-2 win.
7. Hebbert strikes out stars, will get signed
One inning modified Duque Hebbert’s life. The 21-year-old right-hander stepped onto the mound within the ninth inning of Nicaragua’s first-round matchup in opposition to the Dominican Republic and struck out three of MLB’s largest stars — Juan Soto, Julio Rodríguez and (after a Manny Machado double) Rafael Devers — all of them on changeups. Afterward, he was approached by a scout from the Tigers, who supplied Hebbert the possibility to dwell out his dream of signing with an MLB group.
8. Castillo’s superb catch for Panama
An surprising impediment got here into play as Panama proper fielder Luis Castillo chased a fly ball within the hole in opposition to Chinese Taipei in the course of the groups’ second recreation of pool play on March 8. And it wasn’t the wall. Castillo ran smack into heart fielder Jose Ramos, a collision that laid out each outfielders. Hitter Tsung-Che Cheng made all of it the way in which across the bases, pondering he had an inside-the-park house run, however Castillo — nonetheless mendacity on the warning observe — lifted his glove with the ball nestled inside. The ridiculous catch saved Panama up, 5-0, in its eventual 12-5 win.
9. Muzik magic provides Czech Republic its first WBC win
Playing in its first World Baseball Classic after profitable a qualifier in 2022, the Czech Republic launched itself to the baseball world at massive with a dramatic 8-5 win over China in its first recreation. First baseman Martin Muzik delivered the massive blow for the Czech staff, blasting a go-ahead three-run homer with one out within the prime of the ninth inning.
10. LaSorsa’s wild celebration for Italy
With the bases loaded within the sixth inning in opposition to the Netherlands, Italy pitcher Joe LaSorsa struck out Roger Bernadina for the third out to protect a 6-1 lead. But the true spotlight was simply starting. LaSorsa celebrated the Okay all the way in which off the mound and into the first-base dugout, pounding his chest and spiking his cap. His screams of exhilaration had been audible on the FOX broadcast earlier than he was mobbed by teammates. LaSorsa helped Italy to a 7-1 win over the Netherlands within the groups’ remaining recreation of pool play.
