2023 World Baseball Classic

[Jimbodandy]

Such a fantastic game. We spent most of the game rooting for whoever was behind. Two likeable teams playing awesome baseball.

 

[BigSoxFan]

Such a fantastic game. We spent most of the game rooting for whoever was behind. Two likeable teams playing awesome baseball.

It really had it all. You had the young star pitcher going for Japan, Arozarena making great defensive plays, Ohtani doing superstar Ohtani things, Murakami getting total JD Drew redemption, Yoshida with the foul pole hugging HR, the raw emotion, etc.

Going to be hard for tonight to live up to the hype but it would be absolutely fascinating if you had Ohtani coming in trying to lock down Trout in a big spot with the crowd going wild.

I have a feeling that Team USA’s ridiculous lineup will win the day tonight but who knows. I think Japan will be playing much lighter tonight and their lineup is quite tough as well.

 

[Ale Xander]

Just watched the highlights of this on Youtube (credit to MLB's Youtube account for uploading great 10-12 minute highlight reels of these games), man...that seems like the kind of game that makes someone love baseball.

They are really great indeed (and especially regular season) but man do they need to do this for Spring Training

the amateur ones are horribly edited

 

[InsideTheParker]

The way the scoring was going in the late innings, it seemed to me that whoever was the home team had a terrific advantage. I was surprised to see Mexico put up such a fight, and they have my sympathy today, but for some reason it seemed to me that Japan couldn't lose. I am rooting for them tonight, possibly only to be contrary, but that AllStar US lineup annoys me. It will probably all come down to pitching, anyway. I wish the Japanese had a night off to let their pitchers rest a bit, b/c I bet some of them will be needed tonight.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

Posts on SoSH about the World Baseball Classic:

2017: 431
2023: 946 and counting

(I can't find 2013 or 2009 threads about the WBC, nevermind 2006, so I assume they've been lost to the all-consuming XenForo monster unless @SumnerH has some tricks up his sleeve somehow, like there are archives I can't see or something)

How much of the increased interest here is related to the number of Red Sox involved this year? In 2017, there were only 5 players from the Red Sox organization on any roster: Fernando Abad (DR), Xander Bogaerts (NED), Eduardo Rodriguez (VEN), and two minor leaguers (Daniel McGrath for Australia, Ryan Oduber for Netherlands). This year, we saw at least twice that, including a third of the expected starting lineup. I know I made more of an effort to watch Japan because of Yoshida.

 

[BigSoxFan]

How much of the increased interest here is related to the number of Red Sox involved this year? In 2017, there were only 5 players from the Red Sox organization on any roster: Fernando Abad (DR), Xander Bogaerts (NED), Eduardo Rodriguez (VEN), and two minor leaguers (Daniel McGrath for Australia, Ryan Oduber for Netherlands). This year, we saw at least twice that, including a third of the expected starting lineup. I know I made more of an effort to watch Japan because of Yoshida.

Probably some of that but there’s also a lot more star power this year vs. 2017

 

[LogansDad]

Will MIddlebrooks said on Twitter that he saw 93.6% of Japanese homes had the game on last night. If that's true, just.... wow.

 

[Dduncan6er]

I’m really hoping the success this year will lead to more quality pitchers playing for Team USA at the next WBC.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

Will MIddlebrooks said on Twitter that he saw 93.6% of Japanese homes had the game on last night. If that's true, just.... wow.

I buy it. Check out the numbers from earlier games in the tournament. For reference, Japan has roughly 126 million residents.

View: https://twitter.com/BaseballDoesnt/status/1638015932537741312


@baseballdoesnt: Japan vs Orix Buffalos was watched by 36 million people in Japan Japan vs Korea 55+ million Japan vs Italy 62.5 million Most watched World Series game: 54.5 million in 1980 Good chance USA vs JAPAN is the most watched baseball game of all time

 

[Max Power]

If Japan has the lead going into the 9th, Ohtani has to come in as the closer, right?

 

[mauidano]

Murakami can be posted after 2025. Sasaki looks like a future Cy Young winner. Get it done, Theo.

I'd rather have Chaim "get it done".

 

[AB in DC]

I buy it. Check out the numbers from earlier games in the tournament. For reference, Japan has roughly 126 million residents.

Though this game started at what, 8am Japan time?

 

[barclay]

Between Munetaka Murakami in baseball, Haruki Murakami in books, and Takashi Murakami in art, the Murakami contributions in different fields of human endeavor is very impressive

And don't forget Masanori Murakami, the first Asian player in MLB (Giants, 1964)!! My Dad's favorite player.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masanori_Murakami

 

[Sin Duda]

Haven't found actual lineups yet, but here are expected lineups:

 

[The Gray Eagle]

Yoshida battles the red white & blue robots.
Do you realize that it's going to be a real fight test.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdDHi5SSIlM

 

[SemperFidelisSox]

MLB putting a huge game on at 7pm. It’s a miracle.

 

[Awesome Fossum]

USA going with the Ben Sheets specials. Love it.

Edit: Oh, grey pants. Well whatever. Go USA.

 

[InsideTheParker]

This announcer is so awful. Yikes!
And Yoshida looks so tiny next to Ohtani.

 

[Kliq]

Announcer really needed to do the family name first for the Japanese players.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

This announcer is so awful. Yikes!
And Yoshida looks so tiny next to Ohtani.

To be fair, Ohtani makes most of these guys look tiny.

 

[mauidano]

Pretty excited for this game!

 

[NJ_Sox_Fan]

Wish they’d start it already

 

[Comfortably Lomb]

Trout got 2 out of that? LOL. It's a shame he doesn't play in games that matter usually.

 

[LogansDad]

Trout got 2 out of that? LOL. It's a shame he doesn't play in games that matter usually.

He is just incredible.

That changeup to K Goldy was pure filth.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

How do they determine the home team?

 

[Remagellan]

How do they determine the home team?

I'm guessing because Japan was the higher seed coming out of pool play?

 

[NJ_Sox_Fan]

100% sold on Yoshida

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

100% sold on Yoshida

Having trouble deciding what to root for when he is up

 

[Remagellan]

Great pitch to K him.

 

[CarolinaBeerGuy]

Nice pitch!

 

[ngruz25]

Yoshida overpay confirmed!

 

[Remagellan]

The ump is giving a better zone to Imanaga than he is giving Kelly.

 

[mauidano]

Trea Turner, MVP.

 

[Remagellan]

MVP

 

[Ale Xander]

Turner baby!

 

[Ed Hillel]

Locked. In.

 

[Catcher Block]

Was worried he'd lose the mojo after being moved up. Welp.

 

[mauidano]

He can't believe his own power. Crazy hot.

 

[canderson]

I turned the TV on as Turner’s ball went over the wall. Good timing.

 

[brandonchristensen]

Trey is doing Kike playoff numbers.

 

[Tony C]

Why is Schwarber DH-ing vs LHers? Aside from being "a dude," he's not good vs LHers.

 

[Remagellan]

What a nice piece of hitting.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

Why is Schwarber DH-ing vs LHers? Aside from being "a dude," he's not good vs LHers.

The lefty isn't going to be in for long.

 

[Remagellan]

I just Truped myself on that one.

 

[InsideTheParker]

Why is Schwarber DH-ing vs LHers? Aside from being "a dude," he's not good vs LHers.

This pitcher has a "reverse split;" don't know if that means he's not so good against left-handed batters.

 

[Ed Hillel]

I thought that was way out

 

[Remagellan]

I thought that was way out

I'm glad I was not alone in that regard.

 

[Ale Xander]

booooo

 

[Remagellan]

This tourney...

 

[InsideTheParker]

Tie Ball Game!!!!!!!!!!!!!Murakami has found his stroke, look out.