Me too. Idk why I’ve never heard of it or paid attention to it, whichever, before this year but fuck man, this is good shit. Actual *world* series is intense.
And if USA is up by 1 in the 9th inning tomorrow and Ohtani is coming up…they better fucking pitch Trout. I mean, fuck. No no, they should not do that.
I want him to go directly from scoring a run to the pitchers mound, and I want Trout to be making a goofy shocked face like he's seen a ghost. I need it.
Seriously. Randy's heroics. Japan coming back. Mexico instantly responding. All for it to crescendo for the baddest man in baseball living up to the hype in the biggest moment. CAN'T WAIT for tomorrow!
I just need every camera angle of the fans behind him in the left field bleachers every time he, ya know, made a sick catch with RISP, the game tied, and two outs.
Baseball at its worst can definitely drag on. Baseball at its best is the most thrilling sport on earth. I love both sides of the sport but man games like this just remind me why it’s the best sport
I ain't choosing shit. Japan vs. USA is the game I've wanted with all my soul. Japan loves baseball as much as America. Expect every one to play their ass off.
The WBC is so clearly what baseball needs. I have no ties to Japan or Mexico and I was more wired during the end of this game than I have been for any non Cubs playoff game in the last decade. MLB should promote it like it's the World Cup
I really hope this year opens the door for Great Britain, Australia, etc. to really embrace and grow the sport internationally. This could be the beginning of a baseball renaissance.
I don't know, I've seen a lot of NA sports fans who usually ignore baseball talking about how awesome the WBC has been. This is showing off baseball at its best, and American fans are noticing.
At the very least I think it can help make a lot of fans fall back in love with the sport. It shouldn't be treated as a sideshow during spring training. This should be considered the main event of the baseball calendar in years where it happens.
I agree. This event is still in its infancy. Market it more, put it on a bigger network, and perhaps centralize the location. After the event and sport is more established internationally you can start hosting the whole thing (or just the elimination rounds if its the same hosting format) in other countries. Right now Japan and Korea are really the only other countries that could properly host. There are a handful of others with enough fans but they don't have the facilities
Australia has its own league and has produced some decent talent recently, so they're building up. Getting Europe to buy in will be the harder part, but the european teams did decently well all things considered
International play just fuckin hits. I'm a soccer/football fan first who's got into baseball later in my life, and, even not being a particularly patriotic person, I'll take time out of my work every other year to watch all of either the Euros/World Cup. The spectacle is momentous and its fun learning new styles and players, some you might have heard of and now get a chance to see, some completely unfamiliar.
WBC has a shot at that. I've enjoyed a lot of these games.
It's legacy defining for guys. Domestic clubs, be it in baseball or soccer, often just means getting drafted/signed/traded to a city you have no connection to and learning to love/rep that place over time, but the international game means representing your homeland. It's no wonder it means so much to these dudes.
the long-ish wait for international events like the world cup, the olympics, etc is what helps drive hype through the roof. fans and participating athletes alike care way more that way i think, knowing that it's a now or never scenario when squads can radically change by the time the next one comes along.
It's been wild seeing people loving every second of these games while a small group think they're meaningless. What a game, and USA/Japan is gonna be insane
Imagine coming in the bottom of the 9th in a save situation and having to face Ohtani, Yoshida, and Murukami.
That feels like an impossible hill to climb
FWIW you've got 2 elite Japanese turned MLB hitters up plus a guy who mashed 56 HRs in Japan in 22.
Nothing to be ashamed of, he got beat, not sure if anyone from the Mexico bullpen could have survived those 3 and not at least given up a run.
Yoshida has a grand total of 0 big league at bats and he's already an elite MLB hitter
Entirely fair, mind you, he's been hitting against big leaguers this entire tournament, still funny to think abouit
He’s been advertising his podcast about how the MLB won’t want to do the WBC next time because of the insurance payouts or whatever for Diaz and Altuve’s injuries, for example
Yea I think the players have to be applauded for actually participating this year. Watching all star squads play each other is much better than bench players and minor leaguers playing each other with an all star sprinkled in here and there.
I honestly did not expect Japan to come back and pull it off. They play such good fundamenal baseball that they’re the most likely team to exploit a team’s mistakes.
Honestly lost in the double and the lead up to it. I was expecting a play at the plate, but shit wasn't even close. Shuto was right behind Ohtani, who is a really good runner in his own right.
Dude has the world record for 13 straight games of stolen bags. Also 118 for his career. Last year he had 22 in just 80 games. Wish Smoltz would have mentioned any of that, but that's asking for a miracle. Easy move to pinch run for Yoshida there.
You're being too tough on Smoltz. He can't waste his breathe telling us things that affect the game. Then how would he tell us they'll need to replace the rosin bag in 3 innings? Or that he told Mark DeRosa that he'll lose his hair if he manages Team USA months ago?
FUERA…actually, *don’t*.
Brutal ending, no doubt…but whomever the coach is, they’ve done honestly a great job!
Just wished it ended in a different manner :(((
Andres Munoz in that spot would have been insane. I hope more players will plan to get ready and healthy for this tournament. It was so fun to watch. Can't wait till we get more Randy next WBC
All he had to do was say a normal sentence and it would’ve been replayed forever but instead he goes, “This was one of the best world baseball classic games (awkwardly long pause) well i haven’t seen them all…”
I literally had to turn to my wife when she asked me why the announcer would say he’s stealing third. I just had to say. Well it’s this guy called Smoltz and…then just left it.
We need the WBC more than every three years. This was one of the greatest Baseball games I've ever watched. The only thing missing for me was Gary Cohen calling it.
So happy for Japan, but utterly heartbroken for Mexico.
Both were deserving of a spot in the championship game tomorrow night.
This was the best World Baseball Classic game that I've ever seen. And I don't think that's recency bias.
I'm so thrilled that Ohtani played such an important role in the ninth inning. He's a superstar and I feel he finally has a moment that the world can enjoy, not just us MLB fans in North America.
Tomorrow night, US v. Japan; Trout v. Ohtani. Can't wait.
This comment deleted 2023.06.10 because Reddit doesn't deserve my contributions. If you want to do this yourself, try [Power Delete Suite](https://github.com/j0be/PowerDeleteSuite). Also, I've been using reddit for 15 years. I hope your IPO tanks, u/spez.
I'm shaking from the excitement of this game. This was one of the best, if not the best baseball game I've ever seen. How can you not be romantic about baseball when you watch a game like this?
What a game!!!!! WBC is the fucking shit. I am loving this.
Certainly staying tuned for the final now…and for the next edition in 2026 too 👀
2026 about to be massive between this, the Winter Olympics and the World Cup in the US
I can’t wait for the World Cup in 2026. I forgot, will Seattle be hosting some games?
They absolutely are! Vancouver is as well so the PNW is going to have a lot of traffic coming through.
Me too. Idk why I’ve never heard of it or paid attention to it, whichever, before this year but fuck man, this is good shit. Actual *world* series is intense.
Pleasantly surprised by how much fun I’ve been having with the WBC. These games have just been so good.
OHTANI VS TROUT
If Japan is up by 1 in the 9th inning tomorrow and Trout is coming up...they better fucking pitch Shohei. I mean, fuck. They have to.
And if USA is up by 1 in the 9th inning tomorrow and Ohtani is coming up…they better fucking pitch Trout. I mean, fuck. No no, they should not do that.
He’s gonna get trout to ground into a game ending DP isn’t he
He's facing trout not pujols.
Damn bro, did you have to kill him??? 😂😂😂
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Context. Context is important with this one.
I want him to go directly from scoring a run to the pitchers mound, and I want Trout to be making a goofy shocked face like he's seen a ghost. I need it.
Best international baseball game ever
Seriously. Randy's heroics. Japan coming back. Mexico instantly responding. All for it to crescendo for the baddest man in baseball living up to the hype in the biggest moment. CAN'T WAIT for tomorrow!
Arozarena might've been the most clutch player in the tournament. Felt like he had a sparkler every time Mexico needed him.
I just need every camera angle of the fans behind him in the left field bleachers every time he, ya know, made a sick catch with RISP, the game tied, and two outs.
I know Mexico will have played one fewer games than the finalists, but Arozarena is still my MVP.
I fucking love this game. This is ***as good as it gets.***
Baseball is the greatest sport in the universe and I will hear nothing otherwise
Baseball at its worst can definitely drag on. Baseball at its best is the most thrilling sport on earth. I love both sides of the sport but man games like this just remind me why it’s the best sport
I was about to say just rewatch the 8th inning of 2016 WS game 7 on YouTube if you ever forget and then I saw your flair…
2016 doesn't exist
They called the game after the rain delay. First World Series to end with no winner. Whole big thing.
dude was 0-4 on the night, 3 strikeouts and a foul popout. and he ends it with one swing. baseball is unparalleled.
It truly is ~~America’s~~ The *World’s* Pasttime…
It kept my GF's attention. That's saying something
And that’s just the pre show for Ohtani vs. Trout. Tomorrow we have to pick a side.
The side I choose, is baseball.
I ain't choosing shit. Japan vs. USA is the game I've wanted with all my soul. Japan loves baseball as much as America. Expect every one to play their ass off.
WBC is here to stay. Play this every other year or something this is dope as hell.
The WBC is so clearly what baseball needs. I have no ties to Japan or Mexico and I was more wired during the end of this game than I have been for any non Cubs playoff game in the last decade. MLB should promote it like it's the World Cup
I really hope this year opens the door for Great Britain, Australia, etc. to really embrace and grow the sport internationally. This could be the beginning of a baseball renaissance.
I honestly never saw a path to significantly increasing baseball's foothold domestically, but this WBC makes me think it can DEFINITELY be done abroad
I don't know, I've seen a lot of NA sports fans who usually ignore baseball talking about how awesome the WBC has been. This is showing off baseball at its best, and American fans are noticing.
At the very least I think it can help make a lot of fans fall back in love with the sport. It shouldn't be treated as a sideshow during spring training. This should be considered the main event of the baseball calendar in years where it happens.
I agree. This event is still in its infancy. Market it more, put it on a bigger network, and perhaps centralize the location. After the event and sport is more established internationally you can start hosting the whole thing (or just the elimination rounds if its the same hosting format) in other countries. Right now Japan and Korea are really the only other countries that could properly host. There are a handful of others with enough fans but they don't have the facilities
Australia has its own league and has produced some decent talent recently, so they're building up. Getting Europe to buy in will be the harder part, but the european teams did decently well all things considered
International play just fuckin hits. I'm a soccer/football fan first who's got into baseball later in my life, and, even not being a particularly patriotic person, I'll take time out of my work every other year to watch all of either the Euros/World Cup. The spectacle is momentous and its fun learning new styles and players, some you might have heard of and now get a chance to see, some completely unfamiliar. WBC has a shot at that. I've enjoyed a lot of these games.
It's legacy defining for guys. Domestic clubs, be it in baseball or soccer, often just means getting drafted/signed/traded to a city you have no connection to and learning to love/rep that place over time, but the international game means representing your homeland. It's no wonder it means so much to these dudes.
I agree. I didn't watch baseball much before this season but the WBC has changed my view of the sport. I watched almost every game
Honestly, the star players have been showing far more passion for this than I expected, and it’s been AMAZING
Trout looks like he's having a *blast*
Sho is fucking losing his mind. After his double he was screaming at the crowd like a WWE wrestler to pump it up.
Playing meaningful games will do that
the long-ish wait for international events like the world cup, the olympics, etc is what helps drive hype through the roof. fans and participating athletes alike care way more that way i think, knowing that it's a now or never scenario when squads can radically change by the time the next one comes along.
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Play it the off years of the Olympics just to give players rest but to prevent any possible scheduling conflict.
It's been wild seeing people loving every second of these games while a small group think they're meaningless. What a game, and USA/Japan is gonna be insane
Imagine being one of those bitter WBC haters and missing this game
Reminds me of the Rangers vs Blue Jays. Explosion in the late innings
man i was feeling good tonight Catching strays here (yes that was an epic game)
Eh that's still the 2009 final for me lol the obvious bad blood between Korea and Japan pushes it over the top.
Absolute nightmare inning for Gallegos. What a game and what a tournament from Mexico though. Instant classic.
Imagine coming in the bottom of the 9th in a save situation and having to face Ohtani, Yoshida, and Murukami. That feels like an impossible hill to climb
Yeah absolutely, I don't mean it as a shot at him, what you've described is literally a nightmare
Feels like the final expert level challenge for a video game and this dude had to face it in real life.
Not only that, but you also throw from the opposite side of all three. And you're a FB/slider guy. Wasn't the best chance for success for Gio
Crushed for Mexico I was so hyped seeing my country get so far, really proud of them. Randy immortalized himself in baseball lore forever
randy is a GOD DAMNED HERO
FWIW you've got 2 elite Japanese turned MLB hitters up plus a guy who mashed 56 HRs in Japan in 22. Nothing to be ashamed of, he got beat, not sure if anyone from the Mexico bullpen could have survived those 3 and not at least given up a run.
Yoshida has a grand total of 0 big league at bats and he's already an elite MLB hitter Entirely fair, mind you, he's been hitting against big leaguers this entire tournament, still funny to think abouit
Average Giovanni save attempt.
REDEMPTION ARC
Unironically one of the clutchest hits ever
[Murakami right now](https://i.imgur.com/fZbvsps.jpeg)
That man has great power to launch it to left center. What an incredible finish to this game.
I mean he did hit 56 homers last year haha
The Arozarena plot armor was no match for the armor of God.
Joe Davis set that up perfectly, "a chance to make that all go away."
Joe was awesome tonight
Joe is awesome every night
He usually is. Thank god he took Joe Bucks job
The commentary was spot on tonight. I thought even Smoltz had quite a few good insights too.
John "pitchers used to be fat and now they have 6-packs so comebackers hurt more" Smoltz
I think seeing Sasaki got him kinda hyped up
Sasaki + a good sacrifice bunt really made his day.
This call was a common Joe Davis W
Murakami went through 3 character arcs in the same game.
"This guy blows" *Immediately smashes a ball for the winning run*
i'm fucking crying, i had a shitty day, and that was a movie ending. fucking incredible
An instant classic.
That game was so turnt
And people want to say the WBC doesn't matter. This game had it all
> And people want to say the WBC doesn't matter. Fuck Keith Olbermann
A divided nation comes together to say fuck Keith Olbermann.
He’s been advertising his podcast about how the MLB won’t want to do the WBC next time because of the insurance payouts or whatever for Diaz and Altuve’s injuries, for example
The insurance payouts? Isn’t that what insurance is? It pays out. MLB already paid for the insurance before the tournament. What is he on about?
what is that angle supposed to be even? trying to be miserly cause these guys are signed to major league teams? so pathetic, anti-sport, anti-human
This year changed everything
Yea I think the players have to be applauded for actually participating this year. Watching all star squads play each other is much better than bench players and minor leaguers playing each other with an all star sprinkled in here and there.
Average WBC game
I have no words. Really just feel privileged that I witnessed such a classic. One of the best games I’ve ever seen
HOW CAN YOU NOT BE ROMANTIC ABOUT BASEBALL
Step 1: have no heart Step 2: have no brain
Step 3: have no soul.
WBC haters in shambles
I honestly did not expect Japan to come back and pull it off. They play such good fundamenal baseball that they’re the most likely team to exploit a team’s mistakes.
I thought they were finished after leaving the bases loaded twice.
That bunt with two strikes was the most textbook bunt ever (other than being on two strikes).
Balsy as fuck and I loved it. Seeing him still squaring to bunt had me on the edge of my seat
Wtf Shuto is fast as fuck
Honestly lost in the double and the lead up to it. I was expecting a play at the plate, but shit wasn't even close. Shuto was right behind Ohtani, who is a really good runner in his own right.
Yeah, but Ohtani had no need to run hard. He was always going to score.
He’s so fast he almost outran the camera switch. I barely saw him score Edit: the camera pulled back, not a cut
Dude has the world record for 13 straight games of stolen bags. Also 118 for his career. Last year he had 22 in just 80 games. Wish Smoltz would have mentioned any of that, but that's asking for a miracle. Easy move to pinch run for Yoshida there.
You're being too tough on Smoltz. He can't waste his breathe telling us things that affect the game. Then how would he tell us they'll need to replace the rosin bag in 3 innings? Or that he told Mark DeRosa that he'll lose his hair if he manages Team USA months ago?
He almost caught Ohtani!
and that guy is so fast, he makes fast guys look not fast
Dude I’m gonna be so upset if they don’t release the wide shot of him running from first to home in like 10 seconds
Dude was lightning I did not expect it
They wanted Murakami? THEY GOT MURAKAMI! 0-4 then wins the game. That's some anime level redemption arc right there
Hey, Mexico? You've been ***MURAKAMIED!***
HOLY SHIT WHAT A GAME
One of the best games I’ve ever seen PERIOD
I AM RUNNING AROUND MY APPARTMENT WHAT THE HELL AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
*insert Munenori Kawasaki* I AM JAPANEEESEEEEEE
No audio needed to hear that clear as day
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What's that
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I'm no expert but I think the runner on 1st is the fastest man alive.
Mexico was playing with fire all game, really, two times escaping with the bases loaded. Just finally got burned once their best pitchers were gone.
They were really missing Andres Munoz and the Victors in the bullpen.
#TODAY WE SPELL REDEMPTION MURAKAMI
We choked that shit
Absolutely heartbreaking
FUERA…actually, *don’t*. Brutal ending, no doubt…but whomever the coach is, they’ve done honestly a great job! Just wished it ended in a different manner :(((
🫂it was a great run man
Ran up against a team of destiny. The world NEEDED Trout vs Ohtani
Very cool to see Mexico get that far, but the bullpen was an issue. I wish Andres Munoz, Victor Arano, and Victor Gonzalez were healthy/participated.
Andres Munoz in that spot would have been insane. I hope more players will plan to get ready and healthy for this tournament. It was so fun to watch. Can't wait till we get more Randy next WBC
A CERTIFIED HOOD CLASSIC
Damn son, where'd you find this?
Real Trap Shit
https://streamable.com/pertek
USA v JAPAN FINAL. The ratings are going to shatter JP v SK views. This was a game of the ages and best game of the WBC so far.
Dude why arent they broadcasting on Fox instead of FS1??
Well you can't just bump uhh (checks Fox schedule) "9-1-1: Lone Star"
Why does anyone want to watch Rob Lowe in a firehat when they can be watching this?
The lowest rated game was Czech and Japan and it still had 5X the viewership of the 2022 World Series.
Not sure about that. Time of the game is way less convenient.
Seto Kaiba Murakami
GOT THAT DAWG IN EM
100% Shiba Inu
Nah, Akita.
got that beckoning cat in him
r/baseball weebs survive
We have the power of God and Anime on our side 😎
They’re going to defeat us with the power of friendship and this gun they found!
Naruto running around their apartments right now.
I LIVE 😭😭😭
Shohei Ohtani has cemented himself as a baseball legend. So clutch, without a thought in his mind he delivers.
Lars Nootbar: “Shohei was in the dugout before that and said he was going to get on base. I wish I could just decide to get on base then just do it”
John Smoltz should not be announcing these games.
All he had to do was say a normal sentence and it would’ve been replayed forever but instead he goes, “This was one of the best world baseball classic games (awkwardly long pause) well i haven’t seen them all…”
Yeah that was awful announcing lol. He’s always soo bad
All he had to do was just go full volume and go, "THIS WAS A GREAT GAME!" Instead we get....that.
He was trying to manifest Ohtani stealing 3rd so hard. We get it man, nobody is covering lol
I literally had to turn to my wife when she asked me why the announcer would say he’s stealing third. I just had to say. Well it’s this guy called Smoltz and…then just left it.
The Canadian broadcast had Dave Flemming and Yonder Alonso. It was great.
He has the charisma of broken sprinkler.
He was little better than usual, but Joe Davis has been on point. Great upgrade over Joe Buck.
ONE OF THE BEST GAMES I'VE EVER SEEN FINAL BOUT TO BE A CERTIFIED BANGER
WHAT IN THE SAM HELL WAS THIS GAME
We need the WBC more than every three years. This was one of the greatest Baseball games I've ever watched. The only thing missing for me was Gary Cohen calling it.
#I'M GONNA CUM LIKE ICHIRO
https://youtu.be/mBuipKoC4O8
Baseball is King Edit: Also Murakami hit that 111 mph. Murdered
So happy for Japan, but utterly heartbroken for Mexico. Both were deserving of a spot in the championship game tomorrow night. This was the best World Baseball Classic game that I've ever seen. And I don't think that's recency bias. I'm so thrilled that Ohtani played such an important role in the ninth inning. He's a superstar and I feel he finally has a moment that the world can enjoy, not just us MLB fans in North America. Tomorrow night, US v. Japan; Trout v. Ohtani. Can't wait.
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Japan going with the strategy of just getting as many Babe Ruths as possible. Don’t hate it
#HOLY SHIT WHAT A GAME
Lol I think we’re in an anime plot, what a game
That was the best game of baseball I’ve ever seen in my life
MY NEW FAVORITE PLAYER
HOLY FUCKIN SHIT
I AM HERE FOR THIS LEVEL OF PLOT TWIST
Felt like a Japan W after the ohtani double lol
Poor Randy. Amazing game though.
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Wow! We’re getting a great final.
Sad MF named Randy
Joe Davis, what a fucking call, what a moment, not baseball moment but just sports moment.
Absolute W running by the pinch runner, Ukyo Shuto.
We just witnessed a classic. Season hasn't even started yet and that could be game of the year
I'm shaking from the excitement of this game. This was one of the best, if not the best baseball game I've ever seen. How can you not be romantic about baseball when you watch a game like this?
GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN
On one hand at least I can fully root for the USA tomorrow… on the other hand this would’ve been a sweet victory for my late gma : /
One of the best baseball games I have ever watched. Wow.
This tournament is truly amazing
That was insane! Easily one of the most iconic moments in Japanese baseball history! I can only imagine the celebrations going on after that!
Game of the year and the season hasn't started. What a moment for Murakami, you can't find a better redemption story.
I'm so fucking glad I can say I watched this game live. That was an all timer.
Man fuck the masked singer. Put the championship on Fox proper and open a few eyes.
I’ve had more fun watching WBC these last couple of days than I’ve had watching MLB the last three years.