The World Baseball Classic wrapped one night ago with Shohei Ohtani striking out Mike Trout to seal the victory for Team Japan over Team United States. For the casual fan, for the serious fan, for every fan not named Chris Russo of MLB Network, it was one of the best moments the game has seen for years, regardless of level.
It’s the kind of moment I think we’ll be able to look back on, as the best of the best from around the world turned what would have otherwise been dismissed as a small-sample exhibition into a hyperconcentrated showcase of what the game of baseball could be.