In the most dramatic batter and pitcher matchup since Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson during the 1942 Negro League World Series, Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout, dethroning Team USA and handing Samurai Japan a record third World Baseball Classic title.
Overshadowed in that dream contest however, were the contributions of Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto, the trio of Philadelphia Phillies batting back-to-back-to-back in the heart of the Team USA lineup.
On the night of the final, both Schwarber and Turner hit home runs, while Realmuto’s eighth inning single raised his tournament batting average to .