When former Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez blasted World Baseball Classic following Team Mexico's unceremonious exit from tournament

In March 2017, former Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez blasted the World Baseball Classic following Team Mexico's unceremonious exit from the tournament. Gonzalez also pledged never to participate in the tournament in the future.

So, what really happened? Mexico defeated Venezuela in the final group game to ensure a three-way tie between themselves, Italy and Venezuela in terms of win percentage (0.5). Mexico thought they had advanced to the tie-breaker game on the basis of runs scored. That was not the case though.

The first tie-breaker criterion was fewest runs allowed per defensive inning played in the games among the tied teams. Mexico had allowed the fewest runs in those games, but had also played fewer defensive innings in total. This meant that in terms of RA/IPD they had the highest average (1.117, to Italy's 1.053 and Venezuela's 1.105).

Although Mexico filed an appeal, their protest was denied and they were eliminated from the competition, with Venezuela and Italy advancing to the tie-breaker.

After Mexico's exit, an enraged Gonzalez told the LA Times that he had no interest in playing in the tournament anymore, adding that it paled in comparison to even Little League baseball.

"It's good to be the hell out of that tournament. They're trying to be the World Cup. But they're not even the Little League World Series," he said.

"Adrian Gonzalez lashes out at MLB over Mexico's World Baseball Classic exit." - USA Today Sports

Adrian Gonzalez also questioned the MLB officials' integrity after World Baseball Classic fiasco

Division Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v New York Mets - Game Four: NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 13: Adrian Gonzalez #23 of the Los Angeles Dodgers smiles as he walks back to the dugout after scoring a run off of Justin Turner's #10 double to left field against Steven Matz #32 of the New York Mets in the third inning during game four of the National League Division Series at Citi Field on October 13, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Former Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez couldn't accept Team Mexico's elimination from the 2017 World Baseball Classic. He was so outraged that he even accused the MLB authorities running the WBC in collaboration with the players' organization of lacking ethics.

He also brought up the issue of organizers not following their own rules.

"Gonzalez said he harangued MLB brass. He said he told them, "You have no integrity. Everything you guys are doing is a bunch of BS." - Andy McCullough

The 2023 WBC begins tomorrow and MLB fans are excited to catch their favorite players in action.