The scriptwriters could not have written this one any better.
With everything on the line during the ninth inning of the 2023 World Baseball Classic final between the United States and Japan, baseball fans got everything they ever could have wanted. At long last, the memes were made real, as Los Angeles Angels teammates Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout faced off against one another in a pivotal moment.
With no one on, two outs, and the United States down 3-2 in the top of the ninth, Ohtani struck out Trout in the most storybook fashion to help Japan win its third World Baseball Classic in history.
SHOHEI OHTANI STRIKES OUT MIKE TROUT TO WIN THE #WORLDBASEBALLCLASSIC! pic.twitter.com/F7vUtIiRR1
— MLB (@MLB) March 22, 2023
That, my friends, is sports drama at its finest.
The matchup between Ohtani and Trout was everything baseball fans could have asked for and more. And to have Ohtani strike out Trout on a full count, no less, was peak sports drama and theater. No contest.
Baseball fans could not have been happier with the way the 2023 World Baseball Classic ended.
Ohtani vs Trout in the 9th.
pic.twitter.com/ltw9wW1rIY— Soto ⚾️ (@SotoP_23) March 22, 2023
We're getting Ohtani vs. Trout in the top of the 9th of the WBC Championship 🙏 pic.twitter.com/tv1mAyv78F
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) March 22, 2023
Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout in the 9th inning with the WBC championship on the line pic.twitter.com/GnM50boQYt
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) March 22, 2023
Regardless of how this ends up, getting Ohtani Vs. Trout in the 9th in a close game with EVERYTHING on the line is about as good as it gets for baseball fans. #worldbaseballclassic
— Dallas Braden (@DALLASBRADEN209) March 22, 2023
Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout in the 9th inning for the WBC Championship??#WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/LwYWSYv8lp
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 22, 2023
Ohtani coming in to close for Japan with Trout due up for USA is peak sports theatre
— Vivek Jacob (@vivekmjacob) March 22, 2023
You just KNEW this was going to come down to Ohtani and Trout in the ninth.
— Kevin McAlpin (@KevinMcAlpin) March 22, 2023
I can’t believe this Ohtani vs. Trout thing actually worked out. I thought it was just something we were floating for funsies.
— Anthony Castrovince (@castrovince) March 22, 2023
Ohtani closing the WBC against Trout pic.twitter.com/tfQBhm9FRS
— Jake (@JakeWallinger) March 22, 2023
SHOHEI OHTANI STRUCK OUT MIKE TROUT FOR THE SAVE TO WIN THE WBC
BASEBALL
IS
THE
BEST— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) March 22, 2023
This was the greatest WBC ever played. From start to finish. The stories were incredible, right down to the Hollywood ending where Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout in the 9th inning of a one-run game to win the title. Absolutely amazing. The game of baseball put on a SHOW.
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) March 22, 2023
Ohtani striking out Trout to end the #WBC was just pure magic. Excellent end to an exciting tournament!
— Sam Blakeney (@CloudJamSam) March 22, 2023
Shohei Ohtani KO's Mike Trout to win it for Japan. Just pure theater. pic.twitter.com/uNG3vIuyPB
— Casey Drottar (@CDrottar19) March 22, 2023
Ohtani vs Trout down to 3-2 absolutely a beautiful piece of baseball magic. Congratulations to Japan #WBCfinal #wbcmagic
— Joshua Garner 🇺🇸 🇳🇱 🇬🇧 🇪🇸✌️ (@chefgarner1) March 22, 2023
There has never been a better script written. Ever.
Shohei Ohtani vs Mike Trout pic.twitter.com/nhur4yzOLt
— Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradling) March 22, 2023
Ohtani will become the greatest player ever . Trout vs ohtani was this generations Larry vs magic
— Chris Chappelle 🤷🏿♂️ (@dark_pharoah) March 22, 2023
Ohtani vs. Trout going 3-2 is magic.
— Jacob Benge (@JacobBenge) March 22, 2023
Shohei Ohtani striking out Mike Trout to win the WBC Championshippic.twitter.com/0UFhUwxdSU
— Kenny Morales (@KennyMoralesTV) March 22, 2023
Trout vs. Ohtani to end the WBC, the dream, that was perfect. Lucky to witness it
— Sully Engels (@sullyengels) March 22, 2023
