Shohei Ohtani has displayed a level of two-way skill unmatched by any other player in baseball history, and the Los Angeles Angels sensation can now add the World Baseball Classic to an already exceptional resume.
On Tuesday, Ohtani put an end to Japan’s perfect record at the 2023 WBC by protecting a one-run advantage in a 3-2 victory and giving his nation an unheard-of third championship in the competition’s history.
As Japan’s designated hitter, Ohtani went 1-for-3 with a run and a walk to start the game. There was debate over whether the former MVP would pitch after the Angels publicly approved of him before he entered the field.
Japan wins the WBC for the 3rd time in history
In the later innings, Ohtani alternated between the bench and the bullpen several times before finally coming out in the ninth for what is certain to rank among the most-watched moments in baseball history.
After the third out, Ohtani’s teammates surrounded him, and Japan won its first WBC championship since it won the inaugural two competitions in 2006 and 2009. Ohtani’s final line for Japan’s seven victories was.435/.606/.739 with four doubles, a home run, and a 1.86 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 9.2 innings on a mound and a save.
However, Japan’s championship obviously came about through more than one player, though, as seen in the earlier innings, when Japan’s lineup took the lead while its pitching staff shut down the vaunted Team USA lineup.
“Let’s stop admiring them,’’ Ohtani said. “If you admire them, you can’t surpass them. (https://www.vidaliaonion.org) We came here to surpass them, to reach the top.
“For one day, let’s throw away our admiration for them and just think about winning.’’
