The Top 10 Moments in World Baseball Classic History
📖 Full Retelling
We are about to embark on the sixth edition of the World Baseball Classic, and every year has brought bigger and better moments. As Japan looks to defend its third WBC title, we looked back at the best of the best from the first five tournaments. It's no surprise that Shohei Ohtani appears multiple times on this list, but his first appearance is getting struck out by an unlikely opponent. 10. Czech technician strikes out Ohtani (2023) The Czech Republic national baseball team might not be remembered for their short-lived, 1-3 appearance at the 2023 World Baseball classic, but Czech starting pitcher Ondrej Satoria will go down in the tournament's rich history for one unlikely inning against Ohtani. In his second meeting with Ohtani, Satoria, an electrician by day, struck out Ohtani on three pitches. The Czech Republic lost the game 10-2 and Satoria surrendered home runs, but they earned the respect of one of baseball's all-time greats. 9. Big Papi batflip (2006) David Ortiz was no stranger to bat flips during his Hall of Fame career, but arguably his most famous bat flip came against Cuba in the inaugural 2006 World Baseball Classic. In the sixth inning of the Dominican Republic's semifinal matchup with Cuba, Ortiz crushed a home run to give his country the lead. Cuba would ultimately win the game after a three-run seventh inning, but Ortiz's display of emotion has stood the test of time. 8. David Wright walkoff vs. PR (2009) One doesn't earn the nickname "Captain America" for Team USA without an iconic moment, and David Wright earned his at the 2009 World Baseball Classic. After getting mercy-ruled by Puerto Rico in a seven-inning, 11-1 loss in the preliminary round of the tournament, the United States found itself down 5-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning of its semifinal rematch with the Puerto Ricans. Then, in heroic fashion, the U.S. came roaring back with a three-run rally, which was capped off by Wright's electric two-run walk-off. The hobbled U.S. fell to Ve
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- No Data Available - BROWSE BY SPORTS & TEAMS PLAYERS SHOWS PERSONALITIES TOPICS Built on World Baseball Classic World Baseball Classic The Top 10 Moments in World Baseball Classic History Published Mar. 4, 2026 9:08 a.m. ET share facebook x reddit link We are about to embark on the sixth edition of the World Baseball Classic, and every year has brought bigger and better moments. As Japan looks to defend its third WBC title, we looked back at the best of the best from the first five tournaments. It's no surprise that Shohei Ohtani appears multiple times on this list, but his first appearance is getting struck out by an unlikely opponent. 10. Czech technician strikes out Ohtani (2023) (Getty Images) The Czech Republic national baseball team might not be remembered for their short-lived, 1-3 appearance at the 2023 World Baseball classic, but Czech starting pitcher Ondrej Satoria will go down in the tournament's rich history for one unlikely inning against Ohtani. In his second meeting with Ohtani, Satoria, an electrician by day, struck out Ohtani on three pitches. The Czech Republic lost the game 10-2 and Satoria surrendered home runs, but they earned the respect of one of baseball's all-time greats. 9. Big Papi batflip (2006) (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) David Ortiz was no stranger to bat flips during his Hall of Fame career, but arguably his most famous bat flip came against Cuba in the inaugural 2006 World Baseball Classic . In the sixth inning of the Dominican Republic's semifinal matchup with Cuba, Ortiz crushed a home run to give his country the lead. Cuba would ultimately win the game after a three-run seventh inning, but Ortiz's display of emotion has stood the test of time. 8. David Wright walkoff vs. PR (2009) (Photo by Gary Bogdon/WBCI/MLB via Getty Images) One doesn't earn the nickname "Captain America" for Team USA without an iconic moment, and David Wright earned his at the 2009 World Baseball Classic. After getting mercy-ruled by Puerto Rico in a s...
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