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The World Baseball Classic has been an overwhelming success, with fans across the globe tuning into the international baseball tournament in record numbers. The opening-round matchup between Japan and South Korea reached 63 million viewers. To showcase the gravity of that viewership, the most-watched World Series game ever was 54 million in 1980.
Now, with the tournament winding down, baseball fans across the globe will be fixated on Tuesday night's championship matchup between Team Japan and Team USA. If Japan wins, it will be the third time in the nation's history. However, if the United States wins the title, it will tie Japan as the most successful nation in WBC history.
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"If Japan wins, they complete the second ever undefeated run, joining the 2013 DR team. If USA wins, they’ll be the second ever back-to-back WBC champs, joining the 2006 & 2009 Japan teams. History is about to be made," Peter Appel tweeted.
With another championship to be crowned on Tuesday, it's worth a look back at the history of the WBC, not only at the team that won but the players that defined the tournament.
2006 World Baseball Classic: Winner – Team Japan
In the first iteration of the WBC, Team Japan defeated Team Cuba 10-6 in the title game. The final, held at Petco Park in San Diego, California, drew an estimated 42,696 fans. Former Boston Red Sox star pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka was named the MVP.
2006 All-WBC team
2009 World Baseball Classic: Winner – Team Japan
Team Japan successfully defended its 2006 championship by defeating its Asian rival South Korea 5-3. The final was held at Dodger Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers, with 54,846 in attendance. Daisuke Matzusaka was named the tournament MVP again, cementing himself as a WBC legend.
"Daisuke Matsuzaka is throwing out one of the first pitches tonight. He's lucky there's no pitch timer for the WBC," Pete Abraham tweeted.
2009 All-WBC team
2013 World Baseball Classic: Winner – Team Dominican Republic
For the first time in tournament history, a nation besides Japan won the World Baseball Classic. The Dominican Republic defeated Puerto Rico 3-0 in the final. The game was held at AT&T Park (Oracle Park), home of the San Francisco Giants. 35,703 fans were in attendance to watch the Dominicans secure the title. Second baseman Robinson Cano was selected as the tournament MVP.
2013 All-WBC team
2017 World Baseball Classic: Winner – Team United States
Team USA claimed its first WBC title in 2017, defeating Puerto Rico 8-0. Puerto Rico failed to score a run in back-to-back championship games, helping the United States win its first title in the tournament. Marcus Stroman was named the tournament MVP, becoming the third pitcher to do so.
"Trea Turner is the 6th Team USA player to homer in back-to-back WBC games, joining: 2017 Buster Posey, 2017 Adam Jones, 2009 Adam Dunn, 2009 Kevin Youkilis, 2006 Derrek Lee," Sarah Langs tweeted.
2017 All-WBC team
