Baseball fans in awe of Japan topping USA in WBC Final classic
Japan outlasted Team USA in the WBC Final with an epic showdown to end the World Baseball Classic that had fans loving every second.
There was no other way for the World Baseball Classic to end than what we saw in Miami on Tuesday night.
Japan vs. USA, two baseball powerhouses, toe-to-toe. And with the Japanese up 3-2 in the top of the ninth inning, Shohei Ohtani took the mound to try and close out the game and secure the victory for his country in the WBC Final. After a walk and then a double play, the final out of the game came down to the only person it ever could’ve been: Ohtani’s Angels teammate, Mike Trout.
Two generational talents stared one another down to try and see which one would give way. Trout took the first pitch, swung and missed on the second, then repeated the process to get to a 2-2 count. After another ball, the count was full.
That’s when Ohtani uncorked an absolute filth-monster on his teammate with a 3-2 slider that was on the black. Trout swung but had no chance, giving Japan the WBC Final win and the gold medal at the World Baseball Classic.
THE FINAL OUT.
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 22, 2023
What a moment for Shohei Ohtani and Team Japan 🇯🇵🏆 pic.twitter.com/8DdTDhkryk
Japan vs. USA in WBC Final makes fans fall in love with baseball all over again
Even though there was a heavy dose of American disappointment in the loss, the consensus among baseball fans was undeniable: The World Baseball Classic freakin’ ruled and that was the perfect finale.
Three two slider on the black against the best hitter of a generation. Ohtani is a demon, a magician, a wonderful gift to the baseball world. We are undeserving. That fucking ruled.
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) March 22, 2023
https://twitter.com/bcraw35/status/1638374772710199296
We got Messi vs. Mbappe in the Men’s World Cup Final and Ohtani vs. Trout in the WBC Final. Somehow they both lived up to the hype.
— Master (@MasterTes) March 22, 2023
I’m nobody important, but I’ve read, listened to, researched, cared about baseball history my whole life. Take it from me—Trout vs. Ohtani to end the WBC is one of the greatest moments this game has had in its 150 years of existence https://t.co/cFdIoM3TO8
— Tucker (@twarner50) March 22, 2023
No other sport gives you what we just saw.
— Chris Rose (@ChrisRose) March 22, 2023
October drama in March.
Pretty damn. Fun.
Thanks again, WBC.
Top baseball moments for me all-time
— Ben Cary (@Ben_Cary_) March 22, 2023
3️⃣ WBC 2023 final (Trout vs Ohtani)
2️⃣ Rockies 2007 SZN/playoff run
1️⃣ Bonds vs McGwire HR battle
Now we have to suffer through 3 meaningless seasons until the next WBC. This sucks
— Joe Seppi (@_JoeSeppi) March 22, 2023
High key feel bad for anyone who doesn't love the WBC. Totally missing out!!!
— Paul Sporer (@sporer) March 22, 2023
We’ve been so blessed over the last two weeks, spoiled with unbridled emotion, incredible storylines, and magnificent baseball. From start to finish the WBC delivered game in, game out, right until the final seconds - a fairytale ending for a incredible chapter for baseball. pic.twitter.com/Mn770b1Lja
— Alex Moretto (@alexjmoretto) March 22, 2023
For all of the talk from critics about how this was “meaningless exhibition” games that shouldn’t exist, nothing about that felt that way.
Whether it was Trea Turner’s grand slam (and subsequent homers), Munetaka Murakami’s walk-off double, Randy Arozarena’s heroics for Mexico, or the finale we got with Ohtani vs. Trout to decide the tournament, this was everything that makes the game beautiful.
How can you not be romantic about baseball?
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