The 2023 edition of the World Baseball Classic came to a dramatic end on Tuesday night as Japan toppled defending champions Team USA 3-2 to claim a record third crown.
It was the nation’s first since 2009 in an eagerly anticipated match-up that did not disappoint. In a script that could have been conjured by the baseball gods, Japan captain Shohei Ohtani faced his Los Angeles Angels team-mate, and USA skipper Mike Trout, in the ninth inning with one out remaining and a solitary run separating the two sides.
Ohtani came out on top on this occasion to spark wild scenes of jubilation from players, staff, thousands of fans in attendance, and millions more watching the Miami proceedings in Japan.
