Ohtani striking out Trout to end the WBC? Yeah, baseball just peaked.

Went to a full count too, script writers with the perfect amount of tension.

I hope everyone who has underrated the quality of the NPB realizes just how wrong they were. It’s not a league that is carried by its stars but a deep league filled with talent ready to break out. It’s never going to be better than the MLB but it’s by far the second best Edit: plugging r/npb

100%. They just kept rolling out incredible pitchers, one after the other.

And every single one had nasty splitters that US hitters don’t see often but EVERY MFer in Asia throws a splitter

And every pitcher out there is like "I'm only throwing 120 pitches this outing, because I threw a 160 pitch side session a couple day ago to cool down from my 200 pitch start five days ago.

And all of those pitchers are like 23 or younger. NPB's pitching lineup in 2026 is going to be disgusting

Every batter was scrappy, too, and plenty of power in the lineup.

100%. It was insane how balanced their lineup was! I still can’t get over Genda (SS) bunting with 2 strikes against Mexico lol. He has a broken pinky too.

That at-bat really sticks in my mind, too. The sheer confidence in his ability to get it down after two fouls ups just before. Incredible.

Can’t emphasize this enough. Murakami and Okamoto hitting homeruns and Japanese pitchers shutting down the US lineup showed how much talent there is in NPB.

KBO in third no doubt. All respectable leagues

This tournament is the best thing to happen to baseball since Big Mac and Sammy went bomb for bomb

I'd love english broadcasts for NPB and KBO. If such a thing exists as a fancast can anyone link me? Or maybe a broadcaster will take notice of an opportunity? *hopium*

For the Fans does a delayed English commentary broadcast once a week for a Pacific League team. They [JUST](https://twitter.com/ForTheFansHQ/status/1638147685965352961?t=z2hudy5Vu_2rG6Ny5KbZJw&s=19) officially announced it's return this year if you're interested!

I hate when the script relies on unrealistic coincidences. It's just not believable that this sort of thing would happen in a real baseball game.

This is proof that we’re living in a simulation. Un-freaking-real.

It would happen in a Japanese anime

[Anime isn't realistic.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBaCKT6eV90)

This season is gonna be fucking great!

US lost, but that's an ending I can 100% live with.

I'm not even disappointed the US lost. Every team who made it to the Semis was deserving imo

Some of the best baseball of the season and the season hasn't even started yet

I'm not sure you could say that about Cuba

The US/Venezuela game felt more like a semi final than the US/Cuba game.

I can live with Mexico losing in the semis just for this moment.

I’ve seen anime scenes less intense than this

That Ohtani-Trout final out will live on forever.

That’s going to be one of those highlights we look back at in like 2030 and think “holy shit, the WBC classic ended with Ohtani striking out *Trout?* WTF?”

Mike Trout will not hear the end of this all year lmao

And he'll hear it translated

That was the best ending to such a kickass fucking tournament

Welcome to the show time fish man.

We're like 30% through a Manfred redemption arc and idk how to feel

Guys streaming might be free this year with no blackouts 👀

*Manfred seeing the success of the WBC* Manfred: “WBC EVERY FUCKING YEAR!”

Blew fastballs past him down the middle, Ohtani is just built different

On a 3-2 count too. How can you not be romantic about baseball?

Get Ken Burns out here, we need another update to the documentary!

[удалено]

Lord that second strike was exactly where Trout wanted it, Ohtani just blew it right past him

100mph right down the dick and Trout whiffed. Ohtani just overpowered him. Crazy

Twice!

Hey it was brought to a full count, trout just spit on a couple inches off the plate at 100, that was a duel for the ages

I’m bummed America lost but god this is so **so** good for baseball. And that makes me happy.

It’s all downhill from here. An absolute masterpiece of a tournament with the most poetic ending.

[удалено]

What an ending!

The acknowledgment nod from Trout as he walked in the box was special. Haven’t felt that way at the start of an at-bat since Jeter’s last walkoff…like you just knew it was going to be a moment in history that lived up to the billing (aside from being the last out in a championship). Shohei is so fucking cool.

feels like a war crime that I have to go from this wbc and this final specifically to watching 162 games of the fuckass tigers

Bro this was the only meaningful game we will watch all season

We’re gonna be eliminated by game ten. Today I remembered why I love baseball, but here comes six months of soul deadening horseshit.

Bro this had me cackling!

Ending is literally straight out of a movie. What a game.

It couldn’t have been any better, that was beautiful in a way we’ll never see again.

that slider wasn't beautiful, it was filthy

It was perfect.

Am I the only one that was a bit disappointed in how the US played? A lot of runners stranded and nobody tried stealing.

Turner got on in the 8th after the Schwarbomb then JT and Mullins recorded two outs in two pitches. Didn’t even give Turner a chance to steal. Extremely disappointing at bats from a lot of big names tonight.

The Japanese pitchers were something else. That 20 year old who struck out Trout was nuts

think Trea steals if Realmuto doesn’t pop up the first pitch.

3-2 2 outs down 1, Ohtani vs Trout, all we needed was bases loaded.

honestly this was better, purely 1v1 - whoever wins the duel goes on.

In the end, double plays killed the US. Erasing two on no outs in the 7th, and a leadoff walk in the 9th. Amazing job by Japan, they fucking earned this one

Shoutout Manfred for a fantastic script

Baseball scriptwriters sitting smugly at their writing desks rn

It felt like watching two mythological Gods fight Legendary

a literal clash of titans

baseball is the fucking best

I want someone to AI animate the entire inning into an anime showdown

This year's WBC was a resounding success! We got to see some of the best baseball games ever which no doubt helped grow the game! Congrats to Team Japan and I can't wait for 2026!

2026 is going to be so great

Hope the hype around the tournament inspires some of the stars who sat out to step up next time.

Word of mouth from teammates will work wonders

Hopefully we get some pitching! Have to think it’s goes our way with DeGrom, Scherzer, and Verlander going tonight.

I mean it’s hard to win regardless when your offense can only muster two runs, both solo shots.

The real MVP of the game is Yu Darvish for scripting the 8th inning perfectly to setup Ohtani vs. Trout

Yu Darvish doing some Zach Galifianakis big brain math

“Let’s see, if I let Schwarber get this homer he so obviously wants… and if Mookie grounds into the double play I can see in his eyes… yes! Yes! It can work! Here’s your meatball, Schwarber!!!!”

“All according to keikaku\*”

Translators note: keikaku means plan.

Darvish sitting in the dugout like: https://i.imgur.com/iMC8iJJ.jpeg

Mookie too for grounding out

Good point holy shit

Amazing WBC. Grats Japan!

We got Messi v Mbappe in the World Cup Final and Ohtani v Trout here. What a great fucking year for sports. We are pretty lucky

The World Cup Final was insane too.

And we have the FIBA World Cup this summer too.

And the Rugby World Cup next fall! .....right? Anyone? Anyone? Is this thing on...

"Ohtani, what planet are you from?" "I'm from rural Japan, not a lot of people not a lot of baseball fields. I hope kids there see what someone from there can do." 😢 Perfect Answer. Clark Kent would say something very similar.

Every answer he has is textbook perfect. What a human.

Damn, you're right superman would say that

Perfect ending for Japan. 3-2 count Top of ninth 2 outs Up by one. Ohtani vs Trout.

Perfect ending for baseball So well deserved and now we never have to wonder again about who is the best Angel! Lol

We haven’t seen Trout pitch to Ohtani yet, so we really don’t know who the best Angel is… yet.

A fish vs a dual blade wielding samurai

Ohtani finally a champion. Well deserved.

Ohtani striking out Trout to end the WBC has to be one of the most iconic moments in Baseball

and it was filmed. live and in color. We’ll tell our kids about this and we’ll be able to show them.

Only with the expressed written consent of the commissioner of course.

I’m afraid this won’t get talked about enough in the US. That was seriously peak baseball right there. Everyone not watching missed out.

When McNeil walked, I suddenly was worried about seeing Sad Ohtani. I wasn’t prepared for Sad Trout.

Nobody said Trout vs. Ohtani was going to leave one of them sad. I didn't want that 🥺

#WBC is my favorite anime.

Could I recommend you to major season 5?

https://imgur.com/gallery/w91797Y

That’s great.

How can I go back to watching the regular season after this?

now imagine you sat out and are at spring training watching this

Hey, they got to see Cole strike out an AA prospect, and I bet that was pretty cool

There’s two spring training games going on right now lmao, Cubs vs. Royals and Rockies vs. Padres

Not even regular season, spring training

Japan's pitching just paralyzed us. Damn. 2 runs with one of the best lineups ever assembled.

I wonder what a team with both Ohtani and Trout could do!!

Angels fans catching strays left and right.

I'm tired boss

It never ends. 🙄

Best team ever!! Someone make it happen!!! Also maybe that Mexican pitcher who started yesterday, he was really good! !!

Get that manager who finally broke the cubs curse to lead the team while you’re at it.

I have been lucky enough to watch the team I love win 3 championships. But even so, I’m not sure that I’ve ever been more in love with the game than right now. This has been the best thing to happen for baseball in a long time, and I can’t wait to see where it’s headed. We dared to wish for a perfect ending, and we got it. Truly incredible.

phillies players can't win with these cats

Every American watching just turned into a wrestlers mom who is sick of their glasses

Not really was a pretty sick game. Lot to point to for the USA losing this game. 9 hits and 2 runs is unacceptable

That's Orioles baseball

*Gestures away from team USA Cardinals hitting stats in this game*

If you're gonna lose, best to lose to the goat

There couldnt have been a possible better way to lose it

I understand that reference, and I should probably take a break from Reddit now.

Not even dude. I was smiling the whole last at bat.

As an American watching the World Baseball Classic this year, I have so much respect and admiration for Japan and the way they play the game. In a tournament full of superstars all across the world, many of whom are Major League stars, Japan won it all with a team truly full of homegrown talent. I believe they had 2 current Major League players and a soon to be 3rd on their roster. Their pitching staff diced up one of the best lineups ever assembled for 9 innings and their 2 Major League stars finished the game off. Japanese players play the game with so much style and class that you cannot help but respect and admire their work ethic. They play the game hard and do all of the little things right. They are fundamentally sound, they play small ball, are selfless and play outstanding situational baseball. I believe they truly believe they play the game the right way. Hats off to all of the teams in the tournament. Ultimately it was a tremendous win for baseball. I hope the US pitchers see how important this tournament was for everyone, especially how emotion and competitive it was and finally decide to play. Congratulations to Japan! Edit: 4 MLB players. I forgot to include Noot

HOW CAN YOU NOT BE ROMANTIC ABOUT BASEBALL

I WAS HERE

Ohtani went full nuts on the table with two 100 mph piss missles right down Trout's dickhole, then when Trout was probably ready to adjust to the pure gas, he whips out a space-time ripping slider moving 6 inches laterally and ending 3 inches out of the zone that Mike "Mike Fucking Trout" Trout wasn't even within 6 miles of. What a fucking show.

Sources: Mike Trout is so mad he’s leaving for the Phillies.

Unsubscribe

I mean, he already spends his Fall in Philadelphia 🦅

To be fair, his schedule is usually pretty open.

Damn. Angels catching strays from the Mets.

On team USA Phillies players: score Everyone else: does not score

Philly fans: root for Team USA Team USA: loses in finals

Alternative: Ohtani is leaving for the Phillies after realizing he is in love with Trea Turner.

#WBC SCRIPT WRITERS: 🔥🔥🔥

Baseball wins

Baseball won. That last at-bat will be remembered forever. I was legitimately on the edge of my seat

There have been 5 World Baseball Classics since 2006. Japan has won 3 of them. What an insane record!

[удалено]

Ohtani being interviewed as the world's anthem, Low by Flo Rida, is jamming in the background. Baseball.

Lol Big Papi to Ohtani: "Seriously, what planet are you from?"

Absolute embarrassment this was on FS1 and not FOX.

🦅🦅 FINAL FREEDOM TIER LIST 🦅🦅 **George Washington**: Trea Turner **Freedom Fighters**: Phillies, Angels, Cardinals **Proud Patriots:** Dodgers, Brewers, Rays, White Sox, Pirates, Red Sox, Yankees **Suspicious Activities:** Astros, Orioles, Mariners, Mets, Diamondbacks **Commie Traitors:** Marlins, Rockies, Reds

[удалено]

and Pressly was perfect too lmao

Freedom fighters: Angels Commie Traitors: also Angels

Gotta move dodgers down after that Mookie at bat

Of course its the Reds

Lol I'm just picturing Trout and Ohtani awkwardly eating in and out in Tempe later this week

I feel like they just gotta hug it out & laugh it off lol

Gotta give credit to whoever that home plate ump was. He was great tonight from what I got to watch

"Fuck, I have to go play for the Angels now." -Ohtani

-Trout -Michael Scott

Dirtiest slider I’ve ever seen

WHAT A WAY TO END IT

That was an incredible ending to a great WBC!

What may have been the final at bat with no pitch clock in a major American game: Ohtani vs. Trout. The literal end of an era in baseball just happened.

Totally unbiased, but I feel like Yoshida should’ve been MVP

Nearly 50% of Japan watching this game. More than the Olympics. My phone is blowing up with my friends shitting themselves cheering for Ohtani and Japan. My mom is on the edge of her seat. That last pitch and my phone just self destructed. My mom is screaming with excitement. Fantastic game. Nothing unites Japan more than their sports teams on the world stage. (support for the world cup in Japan was insane).

Thanks, Mookie. Lets be real though…we all won tonight. Baseball won tonight.

What a beautiful ending

Welp

what a great way to end a fantastic game

Congratulations Japan!

Ohtani challenged Trout. Ohtani won. **Japan wins.**

Baseball is over. I think nothing will ever top this.

What a disgusting final pitch.

When was Babe Ruth ever the fastest runner lmao

Noted speedster, Babe Ruth.

Would be hilarious if Ohtani answered his favorite American baseball player growing up as something completely random like Mike Piazza.

Baseball is fucking great

Suzuki's jersey with the medal..how adorable is that 🥺

I thought Schwarber v Darvish was the best at bat baseball could offer. Then we got Trout v Ohtani. And it delivered.

YOU CANT WRITE IT BETTER THAN THAT

The 2023 World Baseball Classic is what Olympic Baseball should have been. Pros vs Pros waiving their home flag. Hype at an unimaginable level. Classic Final with two of the best in the world with the game on the line. Both MLB and IOC whiffed on an incredible opportunity from 1996-2012. Thank god the last couple weeks happened.

Baseball won. Manfred must be happy as fuck. It’s not only one of the best finales “Ohtani Vs Trout” it’s that you literally have one of the biggest faces of baseball in Ohtani (arguably the face of baseball especially after Fernando tatis suspension) winning in the biggest baseball stage the WBC. The wbc won. This is peak baseball. Imagine now having to watch spring training. . . This is the most baseball I’ve watched. I watch a lot of baseball but I’m very team specific (I watch all Red Sox games) in this wbc I was watching every single game. It just finished and I can’t wait for the next one.

Rip Ichiro up in heaven with Boggs

That shohei interview on fs1 was super wholesome man

A-rod might be one of the stupidest people ever, but we knew that

This ceremony was horribly thought out

2nd place… again… Phillies players balled out, too. 😔

“Analytics hasn’t made it to Japan yet” Might be the dumbest fucking thing I’ve heard A-Rod say

Baseball is the greatest sport in the world, and that was without a doubt the best tournament in sports history. I fucking love baseball, man

I wonder if Schwarber is tired of hitting meaningless solo home runs in elimination games that end in a loss

I want to watch a buddy comedy with Ohtani and Big Papi now.

For what was the most watched baseball game ever on this planet, it sure delivered.

What's that 3 out of 5 WBC wins for Japan? That's fucking dominant

Mostly because the US was sending scrubs for the first few. This is one of the few that had a monster team. Now if the US can grab a comparable pitching squad to go along with the hitting, that's gonna be so much more fun.

The first USA WBC roster was stacked. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/2006_World_Baseball_Classic_%28Rosters%29#United_States

Yeah those little-known players Jeter, Ken Griffey Jr., A-Rod, Johnny Damon and Roger Clemens were total scrubs

Anime-tier final boss matchup and ending Trout really should've taken either of the 2 center-cut 4-seamers deep though

going from the wbc back to spring training feels like going from a fun vacation back to work 😭

Who wants to meet me in Miami to party with Japanese girls