MIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 21: Team Japan and Team USA line up prior to the World Baseball Classic Championship at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/Getty Images)
A classic it was. The World Baseball Classic came to a close last night in thrilling fashion. Japan edged out Team USA by a final score of 3-2. To commemorate the series, we've compiled this "World Baseball Classic Championship in 10 photos" gallery.
It came down to the arguably the two best players in the game facing off in the final out. Japan's Shohei Ohtani struck out USA's Mike Trout in the top of the 9th inning to secure the title. Ohtani and Trout are teammates with the Anaheim Angels.
The 2023 World Baseball Classic championship was held at LoanDepot Park in Miami, FL (the home of the Miami Marlins). Twenty countries were represented in the form of professional baseball. A tournament-style competition held over three weeks brought us to just Japan and USA still standing Tuesday evening.
Since its founding in 2006, there have been five tournaments held. Japan now has three titles with team USA being the most recent winner (2017) prior to last night.
Team USA took a 1-0 lead last night, with Trae Turner's solo home run in the second inning. Japan responded with three runs by the end of the fourth. Kyle Schwarber made it close in the eighth with another solo smash. Ultimately, it was not enough with Ohtani on the mound for Japan to close out the game.
The 2023 WBC was a great success. In conclusion, 47 total games were played. Almost 27,000 fans attended each game on average. This year's rendition made up for the disappointment of the 2020 tournament being canceled due to COVID. As a lead in to the 2023 MLB season, we saw the greatest players in baseball compete in exciting fashion.
Here is a look back at the World Baseball Classic Championship game in 10 photos. Incredible.
World Baseball Classic Championship: United States v Japan
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan leads the team out carrying out the Japanese flag prior to the World Baseball Classic Championship against Team USA at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) Megan Briggs/Getty Images
World Baseball Classic Championship: United States v Japan
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Mike Trout #27 of Team USA looks on during the naitonal anthem prior to the start of the World Baseball Classic Championship against Team Japan at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) Megan Briggs/Getty Images
World Baseball Classic Championship: United States v Japan
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Detail view of a base seen during the World Baseball Classic Championship between Team USA and Team Japan at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) Megan Briggs/Getty Images
World Baseball Classic Championship: United States v Japan
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Munetaka Murakami #55 of Team Japan hits a solo home run in the second inning against Team USA during the World Baseball Classic Championship at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) Eric Espada/Getty Images
World Baseball Classic Championship: United States v Japan
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Mike Trout #27 of Team USA celebrates after hitting a double in the first inning against Team Japan during the World Baseball Classic Championship at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) Megan Briggs/Getty Images
World Baseball Classic Championship: United States v Japan
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Fans look on during the World Baseball Classic Championship between Team USA and Team Japan at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) Megan Briggs/Getty Images
World Baseball Classic Championship: United States v Japan
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Kyle Schwarber #12 of Team USA reacts after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning against Team Japan during the World Baseball Classic Championship at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) Megan Briggs/Getty Images
World Baseball Classic Championship: United States v Japan
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan reacts after the final out of the World Baseball Classic Championship defeating Team USA 3-2 at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) Eric Espada/Getty Images
World Baseball Classic Championship: United States v Japan
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Team Japan celebrates after the final out of the World Baseball Classic Championship defeating Team USA 3-2 at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) Eric Espada/Getty Images
World Baseball Classic Championship: United States v Japan
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: (L-R) Kazuma Okamoto #25, Shohei Ohtani #16, and Munetaka Murakami #55 of Team Japan celebrate in the clubhouse after defeating Team USA in the World Baseball Classic Championship 3-2 at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/Getty Images) Alex Trautwig/Getty Images
Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.
