"Good pitching beats good hitting" - Nolan Arenado vividly remembers iconic Mike Trout vs. Shohei Ohtani duel at 2023 WBC Championship final

The 2023 World Baseball Classic gave fans plenty of iconic moments, however, the showdown between Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout stands out above the rest. The epic duel between the then-Los Angeles Angels teammates, with the gold medal on the line, instantly became one of the legendary moments of this era in baseball.

Ultimately, Shohei Ohtani struck out his friend and long-time teammate Mike Trout, securing the World Baseball Classic title for Team Japan. The showdown, which seemed destined to happen, not only captured the attention of fans but also players such as Nolan Arenado who were witnessing history firsthand.

"Ohtani vs Trout in the WBC. What an unreal at bat" - @BaseballQuotes1

Nolan Arenado Discusses Being on Field for Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout WBC & Greatest 3rd Baseman - Baseball on Fanatics View

St. Louis Cardinals superstar Nolan Arenado was one of those players who was locked in on the historic moment. In an interview with "Baseball on Fanatics View," Arenado broke down what it was like to be there live during the at-bat, saying that Ohtani's slider to record the strikeout was one of the nastiest pitches he has ever seen.

"Good pitching beats good hitting and he just made the great pitches," Nolan Arenado said of the battle between Ohtani and Trout.

Although Nolan Arenado, who was a member of Team USA during the World Baseball Classic, had to settle for second place, he said that the moment was one that he would never forget for the rest of his life.

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The Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout showdown was a fitting end to the pair's run with the Angels

The epic strikeout at the end of the tournament was a fitting way for the World Baseball Classic to draw to a close. It was a successful return for the international baseball tournament which had not run since 2017. However, the final at-bat is something that will live on in the baseball history books for a number of different reasons.

Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout had spent several seasons together with the Los Angeles Angels and despite both players winning MVP Awards, the team made zero postseason appearances. This run as teammates came to an end in the offseason when Shohei Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700,000,000 deal to join the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 11, 2023.

Only a few months later, the pair found themselves with the eyes of the world focused on them. The strikeout by Mike Trout at the end of the WBC felt like a true closing of the door between the two former teammates. It truly was a special moment.