February 2023
The World Baseball Classic or WBC is the premier international baseball tournament. The series was a direct response to the Olympics removing baseball from its lineup of summer sporting events. The concept was built around a smaller FIFA World Cup type of tournament. Early on the sixteen teams were preselected strictly on its baseball culture. It has since evolved into qualifying rounds and expanded from a sixteen-nation tournament to a twenty team tournament.
2006 was the inaugural tournament. Among the sixteen nations represented were Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, México, Venezuela, and Panamá. Games were played in Japan, United States, and Puerto Rico. Latin America was represented in the semifinals by Cuba and the Dominican Republic. The championship between Japan and Cuba was held in San Diego, California. The battle between the two baseball crazed nations was an epic end to the inaugural event. Japan edged Cuba 10-6 behind the likes of Daisuke Matsuzaka and Ichiro Suzuki. Cuba was led by Yadel Martí, Yoandy Garlobo, and Yulieski Gourriel. The World Baseball Classic was off to a strong start.
2009 saw another incredible tournament. The same 16 nations were invited back with Latin America being represented by Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, México, Venezuela, and Panamá again. Japan, United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada hosted the tournament. This year the final was held at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Venezuela was the lone Latin American country to make it to the semifinals. The championship came down to two Asian powerhouses Japan and South Korea. Japan rode Daisuke Matsuzaka’s arm to a second WBC championship out scoring Korea 5-3.
2013 witness two Latin American powerhouses battle it out for the WBC championship. The tournament granted twelve of the original invitee’s automatic berths. The next four spots would be filled by a qualifying round. This allowed Spain and Brazil to make their WBC debut. Latin America was represented again by Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, México, Venezuela, and newcomer Brazil. The host nations included Japan, Taiwan, Puerto Rico, and the United States. The semifinals featured two Latin American teams that would ultimately meet in the final championship. Puerto Rico beat tournament favorite Japan 3-1. The Dominican Republic beat their 2009 nemesis the Netherlands 4-1. In the end we saw WBC MVP Robinson Canó’s Dominican team beat Yadier Molina’s Puerto Rico team 0-3. The final game was held in San Diego, California.
2017 followed a similar format as 2013. Twelve of the 16 teams were granted automatic berths. The next four spots were filled by a qualifying round. This brought a new Latin American team to the tournament. Latin America was represented by Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, México, Venezuela, and newcomer Colombia. Host nations were South Korea, Japan, United States, and México. The final was held at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The semifinals only saw one Latin American team that being Puerto Rico. Ultimately the Puerto Ricans would make it to its second WBC championship game. The game drew almost 52,000 fans. Puerto Rico was loaded in talent with players such as Yadier Molina, Javier Báez, Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor, and Carlos Beltrán. The United States was able to dominate the final game behind the likes of Eric Hosmer, Christian Yelich, and tournament MVP Pitcher Marcus Stroman. The final score was a lopsided 8-0 win for team USA.
After being delayed a year due to Covid the 2023 tournament is due to take place March 8th to the 21st. Host nations will be Taiwan, Japan, and the United States (Phoenix and Miami). The sixteen nations that played in the 2017 WBC were invited back. Latin America will be represented by the usual Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, México, Venezuela, and Colombia. After missing a few WBC’s Panamá is back in the tourney. Making their debut alongside newcomers Great Britain and Czech Republic, home of legendary pitcher Dennis Martinez, is Nicaragua. Latin America will represent eight of the twenty nations taking part in this year’s WBC. All the games will be televised and will be a great start to the baseball season. The World Baseball Classic provides a unique opportunity. It’s a chance to see our favorite players donning their nations colors and playing for love of country. It taps into our roots and our sense of pride. This March tune into WBC baseball and cheer on your country! You can find more info at https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic
