World Baseball Classic News

Ichiro lifts Japan to Classic glory

Barry M. Bloom — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:34:00 EDT

After Korea sent the game into extras, Japan successfully defended its Classic title, winning, 5-3, on Monday behind Ichiro Suzuki's two-run single in the 10th.

Classic is growing to maturity

Barry M. Bloom — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:11:00 EDT

From the first strings of symphonic music to the last fabulous pitch, Monday night's Classic finale was baseball at its very best.

Dice-K repeats as Classic MVP

Rhett Bollinger — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:13:00 EDT

Daisuke Matsuzaka was named the Most Valuable Player of the World Baseball Classic for the second time on Monday after Japan beat Korea, 5-3, in the final.

Classic an international celebration

John Schlegel — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 06:53:00 EDT

The Samurai, as Team Japan is known at home, started this wild, worldwide ride almost three weeks ago, and sure enough they finished it, throwing the first and last pitches of the second edition of the World Baseball Classic.

Classic's All-Tournament Team named

Rhett Bollinger — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:40:00 EDT

Japan's Daisuke Matsuzaka was named the MVP of the World Baseball Classic, and he was joined by teammates Hisashi Iwakuma and Norichika Aoki on the All-Tournament Team. That trio helped lead Japan to a second straight Classic title with its 5-3 victory over Korea on Monday.

Japan rode difficult road to Classic title

Rhett Bollinger — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:51:00 EDT

Baseball has long been America's pastime, but if the last two World Baseball Classics are any indication, it's becoming a game dominated by the Far East. Japan has proved to be king by winning both tournaments, capped by its epic, 5-3 win in 10 innings over Korea on Monday.

Korea leaves Classic with no regrets

Jesse Sanchez — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:14:00 EDT

The Koreans would have preferred the gold medal in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, but the silver version of the tournament's hardware will suffice for now. Being known as the second-best baseball country in the world, behind only two-time tournament champion Japan, is still quite an accomplishment. That's how Team Korea views its finish.

Classic mementos donated to Hall

Rhett Bollinger — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:20:00 EDT

After he retires from Major League Baseball, Japanese outfielder Ichiro Suzuki might very well be headed to the Hall of Fame. But for now, the right fielder is contributing to Cooperstown's collection by donating his bat from the first round of this year's World Baseball Classic.

Bauman: Classic final shows East's dominance

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:11:39 EDT

Peavy enjoyed Classic experience

Corey Brock — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:49:00 EDT

As he unpacked a large Team USA duffel bag on Tuesday, Jake Peavy spoke of his experience in the World Baseball Classic and said losing in the semifinals to Japan didn't take anything away from his involvement in the event.

Classic imparts valuable lessons on US

Barry M. Bloom — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 03:40:00 EDT

While there will be no Classic final for the U.S. after it fell to Japan, 9-4, in the semifinal on Sunday, the Americans did pick up some valuable lessons about their foes along the way.

Selig: Classic to get 'bigger and bigger'

Barry M. Bloom — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 02:56:00 EDT

Commissioner Bud Selig said Saturday night that the World Baseball Classic will be back in 2013 and is here to stay as a March fixture.

Abrupt end doesn't dispirit Venezuela

Rhett Bollinger — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 14:39:00 EDT

Venezuela looked unstoppable heading into the semifinals of the Classic, carrying a tournament-best record of 6-1 and averaging more than six runs a game before running into Korea on Saturday.

Light links Dodgers, Japan

Ben Platt — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 22:44:00 EDT

During the summer, when the sun sets at Dodger Stadium, one can see from the press box a single light shining in the hills behind right field. Most people have no idea what the light means, but to the Dodgers it symbolizes the organization's long relationship with Japan.

On home soil, USA ousted by Japan

Barry M. Bloom — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:53:00 EDT

There will be no Classic final for the U.S., which fell to Japan, 9-4, in the semifinal on Sunday. The Americans made a late rally in the eighth, but fell short.

Japan and Korea familiar foes at Classic

John Schlegel — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 07:53:00 EDT

Japan and Korea meeting for the championship of the '09 Classic should shock no one who has followed the tournament, watching as the defending champion and the 2008 Olympic champion have been sharp and efficient in winning six games each -- and losing only to each other, twice apiece.

Japan has a date with Korea in final

Jesse Sanchez — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:05:00 EDT

For the fifth time in this year's Classic, Japan will face Korea, but on Monday, it'll be in defense of its title after it beat Team USA, 9-4, in Sunday's semifinal.

K-pop: Korea powers its way to final

Rhett Bollinger — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 02:21:00 EDT

Korea led from the get-go and never looked back, easily beating Venezuela, 10-2, on Saturday to advance to Monday's Classic championship game at 9 p.m. ET.

Choo translates experience into wins

Rhett Bollinger — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 15:40:00 EDT

With the ability to hit for power, draw walks and throw out runners from right field, Team Korea's Shin-Soo Choo brings a little bit of everything to the table for his team. And He brings something else to his team that no one else can -- current Major League Baseball playing experience.

Starting at first, DeRosa set for anything

Barry M. Bloom — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 21:52:00 EDT

Mark DeRosa worked out at first base on Saturday and will start at the position -- foreign to him -- at Dodger Stadium on Sunday night for Team USA in its single-elimination World Baseball Classic semifinal game against Japan.

Japan not bowing before US, pressure

Jesse Sanchez — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 23:01:00 EDT

Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki didn't go as far as to call Japan the favorite when his country squares off against Team USA on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET at Dodger Stadium. But he didn't call Japan the underdog, either.

Oswalt to square off vs. Dice-K

Barry M. Bloom — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:34:00 EDT

Team USA manager Davey Johnson announced Friday that he will go with starter Roy Oswalt against Daisuke Matsuzaka on Sunday, with Jake Peavy set to start the final if the Americans advance.

Peavy fine with decision to start Oswalt

Barry M. Bloom — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:32:00 EDT

If Jake Peavy was at all miffed by the turn of events in the World Baseball Classic, he wasn't showing any signs of it as he walked off the main field at baseball's Urban Youth Academy on Saturday.

Murata has torn right hamstring

Barry M. Bloom — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:44:00 EDT

The injury to Japanese first baseman Shuichi Murata is more serious than was first suspected on Thursday, manager Tatsunori Hara said on Friday. Murata has a torn right hamstring and was sent back to Japan on Friday as his teammates worked out in preparation for Sunday night's World Baseball Classic semifinal against Team USA.

Wright, Braun set to play for Team USA

Barry M. Bloom — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EDT

The list of Team USA's walking wounded seemed to decrease by two on Friday, when Ryan Braun and David Wright said they'd both be available for Sunday night's World Baseball Classic semifinal game against Japan at Dodger Stadium.

Korea facing an unfamiliar foe

Rhett Bollinger — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:48:00 EDT

If familiarity breeds contempt, then unfamiliarity must breed respect. And that's certainly true for the Korean baseball team, which is largely unfamiliar with its Venezuelan counterpart because it has never faced the South American team's roster, which features 21 Major Leaguers.

Semifinals last stop for Venezuela

Jesse Sanchez — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 01:52:00 EDT

An ineffective Carlos Silva and five errors led to Venezuela's downfall Saturday, as it fell to Korea, 10-2, in the semis, ending the country's run for a Classic championship.

Venezuela turns to Silva for semis start

Jesse Sanchez — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:46:00 EDT

If the team from Venezuela makes it to the championship game of the World Baseball Classic on Monday, it will be a Mariners pitcher that helps gets them there.