Baseball for the Thinking Fan

Login | Register | Feedback

btf_logo
You are here > Home > Baseball Newsstand > Discussion
Baseball Primer Newsblog
— The Best News Links from the Baseball Newsstand

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Japan plates 2 in ninth, ousts Mexico in World Baseball Classic

Munetaka Murakami, it turns out, was due.

Murakami, the star Japanese third baseman who owns the nation’s home run record and is coming off a Triple Crown, struck out in his first three plate appearances of Monday night’s World Baseball Classic semifinal. But he came through when it mattered most, delivering a two-run double in the ninth inning that sent Japan to a thrilling, 6-5 walk-off victory against Mexico at a sold-out LoanDepot Park.

RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: March 21, 2023 at 12:29 AM | 25 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
  Tags: world baseball classic

Reader Comments and Retorts

Go to end of page

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

   1. Tin Angel Posted: March 21, 2023 at 01:14 AM (#6120895)
I don't speak Japanese but they seemed kind of happy?
   2. vortex of dissipation Posted: March 21, 2023 at 02:03 AM (#6120899)
That was one of the most exciting sports events I've ever seen.
   3. Hombre Brotani Posted: March 21, 2023 at 02:38 AM (#6120901)
That game was an utter joy.
   4. Starring Bradley Scotchman as RMc Posted: March 21, 2023 at 06:31 AM (#6120902)
I went to bed after the eighth inning, because of course I did.
   5. Weekly Journalist_ Posted: March 21, 2023 at 07:07 AM (#6120904)
I come away pretty impressed with Team Mexico. They didn't have any "stars" or really any household names. The closest thing to a star they had was a cuban defector with Mr. Clean gloves. But they had solid major leaguers up and down the lineup and in the pitching staff, making them a dangerous out for anyone on any given night: as they proved!
   6. Steve Balboni's Personal Trainer Posted: March 21, 2023 at 08:43 AM (#6120911)
My favorite bit from The Onion might be one of the simplest: A fake headline from July 21, 1969 that says, "Holy sh*t! Man Walks on F*cking Moon!"

I was not around when we landed on the moon, but at least once a month, I am outside at night, and see the moon, and I'm briefly like, "It's been over 50 years, and I still can't believe we put people on the f**king moon!" The Onion did a great job of being like the rest of us, and realizing that the real story of that day was, basically, "Holy F*ck!". It was (and remains) that crazy.

Well, that's what I love about announcers like Gus Johnson, who are really good at being like, "F*ck it - this game (or play, or ending, etc.) is insane, and I'm going to go insane, too."

I don't know if this Japanese announcer is the Gus Johnson of Japanese sports broadcasting, but I loved the energy. It was an insanely entertaining game. It did give me goosebumps watching the excitement. It does bring me back to the love of the game I had as a kid, and it reminds me of why baseball is so wonderful.

I don't know a word of Japanese, but he was communicating very clearly. Awesome game, awesome energy, awesome call by the announcer.
   7. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: March 21, 2023 at 09:07 AM (#6120914)
The WBC overall did a very good job showing MLB how baseball can be a very exciting, fun sport to watch.
   8. DL from MN Posted: March 21, 2023 at 09:20 AM (#6120917)
How is the final game not on over the air TV?
   9. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: March 21, 2023 at 09:53 AM (#6120922)
What a great game, what a finish. So happy the WBC exists.

   10. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: March 21, 2023 at 09:59 AM (#6120924)
I don't suppose there is video anywhere isolated on Shuto scoring from first? I really want to watch that.
   11. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: March 21, 2023 at 10:15 AM (#6120926)
This fan shot video from the third base side has Shuto in frame the entire play:

Shuto's mad dash
   12. base ball chick Posted: March 21, 2023 at 10:26 AM (#6120930)
4 1/2 hrs for a 9 inning game. but it didn't seem to drag and there was plenty of action and a great ending. i didn't have no dog in the fight but i watch a whole lot of ballgames that are "meaningless"

what a stupid word to use about a ballgame
   13. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: March 21, 2023 at 12:24 PM (#6120940)
   14. KronicFatigue Posted: March 21, 2023 at 12:24 PM (#6120941)
This fan shot video from the third base side has Shuto in frame the entire play:


I'll die on the hill that MLB needs to figure out a camera angle that shows the runner and the ball in the play at the same time. I don't think it should be that hard, considering how big the average TV is now. I presume the announcers' booth angle would be ideal.
   15. The Gary DiSarcina Fan Club (JAHV) Posted: March 21, 2023 at 01:01 PM (#6120943)
What a great read on that play by Shuto. I love great baserunning.
   16. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: March 21, 2023 at 01:11 PM (#6120945)
"sayonora" refers to a "walk off", correct?
   17. vortex of dissipation Posted: March 21, 2023 at 01:49 PM (#6120946)
"sayonora" refers to a "walk off", correct?


Yes, it means goodbye, and is commonly used in baseball terms to describe a walk-off win - a walk-off home run is a "sayonara home run."
   18. vortex of dissipation Posted: March 21, 2023 at 02:29 PM (#6120949)
What a great read on that play by Shuto. I love great baserunning.


He's on the team for his baserunning. Shuto has never had over 307 AB in a season, in 2020, because of injuries (to his hand and shoulder, not his legs, fortunately), but that year he led the league with 50 stolen bases. After his rookie season in 2019, when he was used mainly as a pinch runner and defensive sub, and hit .196 in 102 AB, he still made the national team purely for his baserunning ability.
   19. Hombre Brotani Posted: March 21, 2023 at 02:43 PM (#6120951)
Holy crap, that’s like putting Jarrod Dyson or Herb Washington on team USA.
   20. weiss-man Posted: March 21, 2023 at 04:23 PM (#6120960)
He almost caught Ohtani at home plate.
   21. Jack Sommers Posted: March 21, 2023 at 06:32 PM (#6120972)
I love great baserunning.


You're gonna love watching Corbin Carroll
   22. Jack Sommers Posted: March 21, 2023 at 06:41 PM (#6120975)
4 1/2 hrs for a 9 inning game. but it didn't seem to drag and there was plenty of action and a great ending.


The extra hour of dead time didn't make it a great game, and it still would have been a great game if it didn't have an hour of wasted time in it.

I went to bed after the eighth inning, because of course I did.


Case in point.




   23. Jay Seaver Posted: March 21, 2023 at 07:06 PM (#6120978)
The extra hour of dead time didn't make it a great game, and it still would have been a great game if it didn't have an hour of wasted time in it.


It didn't - the game was only 3:36. Not short, but not exactly an old-school Sox/Yankees slog.
   24. Starring Bradley Scotchman as RMc Posted: March 21, 2023 at 10:11 PM (#6121007)
2.20 MPE, fairly typical for "big" baseball games.
   25. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: March 21, 2023 at 11:18 PM (#6121024)
This play is almost the dream scenario for a player who's calling card is baserunning. He makes the national team as a runner, pinch runs at first in the ninth inning, and motors home to score the winning run on a double off the wall.

You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.

 

 

<< Back to main

BBTF Partner

Dynasty League Baseball

Support BBTF

donate

Thanks to
The Ghost of Sox Fans Past
for his generous support.

You must be logged in to view your Bookmarks.

Hot Topics

NewsblogWho is on the 2024 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot and what’s the induction process?
(293 - 6:07pm, Dec 01)
Last: Booey

Hall of MeritHall of Merit Book Club
(16 - 6:06pm, Dec 01)
Last: ERROR---Jolly Old St. Nick

NewsblogForbes: For MLB, Las Vegas, And Oakland, The A’s Name And Brand Should Stay Put
(13 - 5:57pm, Dec 01)
Last: sunday silence (again)

NewsblogZack Britton details analytics ‘rift’ that’s plaguing Yankees
(6 - 5:54pm, Dec 01)
Last: sunday silence (again)

NewsblogUpdate on Yankees’ Juan Soto trade talks: Teams talking players, but not close on agreement
(22 - 5:53pm, Dec 01)
Last: RoyalsRetro (AG#1F)

NewsblogJackson Chourio extension: Brewers closing in on historic deal with MLB's No. 7 prospect, per report
(19 - 4:54pm, Dec 01)
Last: Rally

NewsblogOT - NBA Redux Thread for the End of 2023
(115 - 4:21pm, Dec 01)
Last: Tom Cervo, backup catcher

NewsblogOT Soccer - World Cup Final/European Leagues Start
(288 - 3:35pm, Dec 01)
Last: Infinite Yost (Voxter)

NewsblogSportsnet's Ben Wagner out as voice of Blue Jays radio broadcasts
(4 - 3:04pm, Dec 01)
Last: Ron J

NewsblogFormer Yankee Luis Severino agrees to 1-year, $13 million deal with Mets: reports
(25 - 1:49pm, Dec 01)
Last: Howie Menckel

NewsblogHot Stove Omnichatter
(48 - 1:05pm, Dec 01)
Last: JJ1986

NewsblogOT: Wrestling Thread November 2014
(3019 - 12:21pm, Dec 01)
Last: a brief article regarding 57i66135

NewsblogReds, RHP Nick Martinez agree to $26M deal, sources say
(9 - 10:39am, Dec 01)
Last: RoyalsRetro (AG#1F)

Hall of MeritMock Hall of Fame 2024 Contemporary Baseball Ballot - Managers, Executives and Umpires
(21 - 9:12am, Dec 01)
Last: DL from MN

NewsblogAndre Dawson Wants His Hall of Fame Cap Changed to the Cubs
(45 - 7:52pm, Nov 30)
Last: It's regretful that PASTE was able to get out

Page rendered in 0.3993 seconds
48 querie(s) executed