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World Baseball Classic

All articles tagged with #world baseball classic

sports1 year ago

Roki Sasaki: MLB's Next International Pitching Sensation?

Roki Sasaki, a standout Japanese pitcher known for his impressive fastball and performance in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, may soon join Major League Baseball through the posting process. Despite his declining velocity and recent injury concerns, Sasaki's pitching arsenal remains highly regarded, with his fastball and splitter drawing comparisons to top MLB pitchers. His potential move to MLB is generating significant interest, as teams weigh his past performance against recent challenges.

via The Athletic|
#japanese-baseball#mlb#pitching
sports1 year ago

Miami, Houston, Japan, and Puerto Rico to Host 2026 World Baseball Classic

Major League Baseball has announced the venues for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, with Miami’s loanDepot Park, Japan’s Tokyo Dome, Puerto Rico’s Hiram Bithorn Stadium, and Houston’s Minute Maid Park set to host games. This marks the first time Houston will host WBC games, while Puerto Rico returns as a host for the first time since 2013. The tournament will feature 20 teams, with the final stages taking place in Miami.

via MLB Trade Rumors|
#2026#international-baseball#mlb
sports2 years ago

Merrill Kelly Doubts Phillies Fans Can Match World Baseball Classic's Volume

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly has challenged fans of the Philadelphia Phillies, stating that he believes he has heard louder crowds. Kelly referenced a thrilling Venezuela game at the World Baseball Classic as an example. This is not the first time Kelly has addressed the fans in Philadelphia, as he previously spoke about the intimidating atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park. Despite the challenge, Kelly acknowledges that the fans are the reason why they play and is excited to take the mound in Game 2.

via Yahoo Sports|
#citizens-bank-park#fans#merrill-kelly
sports2 years ago

Matt Harvey Retires After Nine Seasons in MLB

Former New York Mets pitcher Matt Harvey has announced his retirement from baseball at the age of 34. Harvey, who was nicknamed the "Dark Knight" during his time with the Mets, cited injuries and tough times as the reason for his decision. He had not pitched in the major leagues since 2021 and was a free agent after the 2022 season. Harvey retires with a career record of 50-66, a 4.42 ERA, and 687 strikeouts. He made two starts for Italy during the World Baseball Classic this year, going 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA.

via ESPN|
#matt-harvey#mlb#new-york-mets
sports2 years ago

Edwin Diaz optimistic about returning to Mets this season despite injury

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz, who tore his right patellar tendon while celebrating at the World Baseball Classic, has not ruled out returning before the end of the season. While the typical recovery timeline for his injury is about eight months, Diaz offered a more optimistic prognosis, saying his knee "is doing right" and that his recovery is going "in a good direction." Diaz, who signed a five-year, $102 million contract this past offseason, expressed no regret over the decision to represent Puerto Rico.

via ESPN|
#edwin-diaz#injury#new-york-mets
sports2 years ago

Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar Impresses Japan at WBC.

Lars Nootbaar, a St. Louis Cardinals outfielder, became the first player born outside Japan to play for its national team in the World Baseball Classic. He led off and started in center field in each of Japan’s seven games, reached base 14 times in 33 plate appearances, scored seven runs, and stole two bases. He also made a pair of highlight-reel catches in the early rounds before knocking in the run that put Japan ahead for good in its dramatic 3-2 win over the United States for the championship.

via The New York Times|
#baseball#japan#lars-nootbaar
sports2 years ago

MLB's Unusual Position: New Rules, Transformative Season, and Pitching Matchup Rankings for Opening Day.

Baseball is introducing its biggest ever rules overhaul for the 2023 season, including a pitch clock, a ban on the defensive shift, bigger bases, and a permanent extra-inning ghost runner. While some traditionalists may resist the changes, they are aimed at making games shorter, more exciting, and more competitive. The World Baseball Classic has already shown that the sport can still capture fans' imaginations, and these new rules may help to build on that momentum.

via Slate|
#ban-on-shift#baseball#pitch-clock
entertainment2 years ago

The Decline of Baseball Movies: A Look Back.

Baseball movies have been in a slump since the last significant theatrical release in 2016. While movies about other sports are thriving, Hollywood views baseball films as a money-loser that lucked into two boom periods. The death of the baseball film is consistent with how Hollywood has viewed the genre. Baseball movies are relatively expensive and skew mostly to men, which limits the audience. However, the World Baseball Classic could help overcome the lack of an international audience and create an eager audience for the baseball film.

via The Guardian|
#baseball#entertainment#hollywood
sports2 years ago

Shohei Ohtani's Impact on MLB Continues to Spark Controversy.

After winning the World Baseball Classic, Los Angeles Angels' star Shohei Ohtani pitched in a minor league game to fine-tune his off-speed pitches and get accustomed to the pitch clock. He plans to be the designated hitter in all three games against the Los Angeles Dodgers before opening the season. Ohtani has never experienced the baseball postseason, but after playing in front of sellout crowds at the Tokyo Dome and in Miami for two weeks during the WBC, he can’t wait to perform one day in the World Series.

via USA TODAY|
#free-agency#los-angeles-angels#mlb
sports2 years ago

Shohei Ohtani shines in Minor League start after WBC win.

Shohei Ohtani returned to Los Angeles Angels camp after winning the World Baseball Classic and pitched in a minor league game against Arizona Diamondbacks farmhands to keep himself on schedule for his Opening Day start next Thursday. He faced 19 batters, walking one and striking out eight, allowing four hits, including a home run. Ohtani was runner-up in the American League MVP voting last season and will be a free agent after this season.

via ESPN|
#los-angeles-angels#minor-league#opening-day
sports2 years ago

"Ohtani and Japan's WBC Triumph: A Boost for Soft Power and Player Pay"

Joe Davis, the voice of the World Series and Los Angeles Dodgers play-by-play announcer, reflects on calling the World Baseball Classic final between Japan and the United States. Davis describes the moment when Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout in the top of the ninth inning as "one of the coolest things I've ever witnessed." He also suggests an idea for future World Baseball Classics, proposing to play the group stage at this time and then take a week off around the All-Star Break and play the knockout round.

via The Athletic|
#broadcasting#joe-davis#mike-trout
sports2 years ago

"Reviving Joyful Baseball: Insights from the World Baseball Classic"

Francisco Lindor believes that the World Baseball Classic (WBC) needs more American starting pitchers to participate, but the biggest hurdle is that clubs and starters worry about disrupting the familiar build-up for the regular season. Lindor suggested that the WBC should be held closer to the start of the regular season to allow starting pitchers to build up on a more familiar trajectory. However, there is no perfect time of year to play the tournament, and logistics are always problematic. Despite this, Lindor believes that the tournament is good for the industry and that teams need to encourage their best starting pitchers to participate.

via New York Post |
#francisco-lindor#logistics#mlb
sports2 years ago

Yu Darvish's Concerns and Return to Padres Camp.

Yu Darvish has returned to the San Diego Padres after winning gold with Japan in the World Baseball Classic. However, his preparation for the upcoming season is a concern for the team, as he did not have a regular spring training due to his participation in the WBC. Darvish hopes to throw four innings in one of the Padres' remaining Cactus League games, but it is unclear when he will start in the regular season. The Padres have expressed trust in Darvish's ability to adapt and be ready for the season.

via The San Diego Union-Tribune|
#san-diego-padres#sports#spring-training
sports2 years ago

Japan's WBC Triumph: MVP Ohtani and Yoshida's Three-Word Message to Cora.

Masataka Yoshida, who helped Japan win the World Baseball Classic, has returned to the Red Sox for the tail end of spring training and will soon make his way to Boston for his highly anticipated debut on Opening Day as the team's starting left fielder and middle-of-the-order bat. Upon reuniting with manager Alex Cora, Yoshida told him he was tired after a busy few months.

via NESN|
#alex-cora#masataka-yoshida#opening-day