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

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.

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

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

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

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Bro it’s gonna be in 2026

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

Gotta put some respect on the NPB.

Why hoist the trophy when you can hoist the manager?

PUT HIM DOWN OH MY GOD!!

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

I blame Millville, NJ

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.

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

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

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.

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

Yoshida shoulda been MVP

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

Stay away, he's still ours lol

Stephen A Smith is scowling somewhere

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

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

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.

> 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).

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

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

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

Yeah but it’s all downhill from here.

Ichiro Suzuki 51 jersey is lit

Murakami with Seiya Suzuki jersey is hilarious

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

this was so great

Carrying an Ichiro jersey on stage. Such respect

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

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

I think it's for Seiya Suzuki

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

I do like the mvp bringing it to the team.

Yeah this a train wreck

just a piece of metal...smth

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

Sign all of the Japanese players c’mon

Ohtani has to be a hall of fame lock

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.

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

The whole team should be there.

So bad that was

GG Yapan - Big Papi

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

Baseball won 🏅

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

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

I thought it was a frisby

It is actually a pog slammer.

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

Why is the MVP trophy a hockey puck?

They gave him a frisbee as a MVP trophy? lol

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

Is that tear on Otani's face?

Awwww

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

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

And he’s handsomer than you 🥲

And now he has to go back and play with him. Awwwkward

Is that a Frisbee as a MVP trophy

Omg somebody help Shohei out. Lmao

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

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

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

I know that we are dunking on our offense now, but the Japanese pitchers were all legit really really good

Yeah for sure. Not to mention Murakami got that homer

Get manfred off the screen

What a game, goddamn it what a game

Calling dibs on Sasaki

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

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

Japanese brought their best pitching, if we did maybe we win 2-1 who knows

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

You think these people actually watch the game?

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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I mean they definitely are

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Ohtani, Yoshida, Trea, or Randy for MVP?

Idk but my vote for most entertaining player was Randy

Trea

I would have to say Yoshida for all those RBIs.

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.

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

It needs to change for the post season. I think

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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Hopefully the "changes" Manfred mentioned include this

is it just me or is this medal ceremony super scuffed

Scuffed?

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

If your not first or second you're last!

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.

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

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

Need some dback mentality here.

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

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

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

Murakami with the dinger early

Fantastic, timeless baseball game.

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?

Mike Scioscia

Jim Leyland, 100 percent has that fuck you attitude

Francona

Dusty

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

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

Trout did get a double

Dookie betts

Mookie dookie

woo kgj

Who's the silver fox with the beard?

You referring to Tony Clark?

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

Why does everyone think this is the first wbc, they haven’t before why would they now?

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

Alexa play Hbo's the Pacific

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

He was created by watching baseball anime

Time for Ted Lasso

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.

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

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

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

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

Trout looks really pissed.

He blew it

Typical Philly performance

He should be he stunk

No worse than anybody else on the team

Mookie GIDP

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

Need judge Harper and Riley in 2026

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

Need real starting pitching

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

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

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.

this shit was awesome, the start of something great

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

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

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.

2026 here we go.

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

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

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

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

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

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

We just witnessed baseball lore. Holy shit.

Wow that was like watching a movie

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

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

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

But what does it do for Lebron’s legacy?

Big if true.

there's always next year

Legendary moment for Ohtani. Baseball is in a great place

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

The whole team was oh-fer with RISP

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

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

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)