MLB fans can't get enough of Japanese announcer's call of his country's World Baseball Classic miracle

By all measures, the 2023 World Baseball Classic has been a smashing success. After a five-year hiatus from international baseball, fans had high expectations for the 20-team tournament.

Last night, Shohei Ohtani and Team Japan put on a show that encapsulated just how magical the tournament can be. Japan will now be facing Team USA in a highly anticipated World Baseball Classic final on March 21.

Despite trailing Team Mexico 3-0 in the seventh inning of the last semifinal game of the tournament, the Japanese got it done. Ecstatic does not even come close to describing how Japanese baseball fans are feeling.

Shohei Ohtani drew a walk in the seventh ahead of a three-run home run by new Boston Red Sox signing Masataka Yoshida. In the ninth inning, Ohtani was visibly fired up after hitting a leadoff double with his team down 5-4 in the ninth.

It was then all up to NPB star Munetaka Murakami of the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. With Yoshida and Ohtani on first and second, respectively, Murakami took Mexico closer Giovanny Gallegos, who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals, deep into the gap.

Ohtani and Yoshida easily scored, and the Japanese crowd at LoanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, went insane. After hearing the call of the game from the Tokyo Broadcasting Corporation, fans of all stripes are also loving the furore.

The Japanese commentators could hardly hide their emotions as Murakami flew around first base and the runners scored to book a spot for Japan in the World Baseball Classic final against the USA and Ohtani's teammate Mike Trout.

Many MLB fans could not believe the enthusiasm, and wished that MLB commentators would show just as much flair when they are calling North American games.

Baseball remains the most popular sport in Japan, where the World Baseball Classic in particular has been overwhelmingly popular. Over 25% of Japan's total population tuned in to watch their team in exhibition play, before the real tournament even began.

World Baseball Classic final is going to be one for the books

The NPB, which is Japan's version of the MLB, has long been seen as inferior by North American fans. However, Japan's undefeated record is the result of performances from a nearly-entirely NPB team. If Ohtani and company can win it all against the USA, it will elevate the NPB and the skill in that league to a new level in the eyes of American fans.

About the author

Adrian Dorney is a baseball journalist at Sportskeeda. Having worked over five years in the industry, Adrian strives to combine statistical analysis with the human side of baseball reporting. Since a lot of his briefs involve publishing content with urgency, he has perfected a process involving a combination of trustworthy sources and assessment with intuition.

His lifelong tryst with baseball began with growing up in Toronto and watching the Blue Jays regularly. His favorite player is Baltimore Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr., and Jose Bautista's go-ahead home run in 2015 ALDS Game 5 remains his favorite baseball memory to date.

When not working, Adrian is constantly looking to learn new things and he also loves playing golf and chess.

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