As we look back at the second annual World Baseball Classic, their are many great memories. This year's tournament was definitely one to remember. With major upsets, ninth inning comebacks, and great international rivalries, this tournament was so jam packed with action and drama.
As the WBC approached, many people said they hated it, and all it did was get their favorite teams' players injured. Sure, everybody had to be a little worried their favorite players might get injured, but what we all forgot is these players wanted to play on such a grand stage and give it their all for their country.
That is exactly what all those players did. In the early rounds, Team USA beat Team Canada and showed everybody they meant business. The USA was one of many powerhouse teams in the WBC, along with the Dominican Republic, Japan, and Venezuela.
All of those four powerhouse teams advanced to the second round except for one.
Possibly the best team in the tournament, the Dominican Republic was loaded with All-Star players, such as, Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes, Robinson Cano, David Ortiz, and Miguel Tejada. This Dominican team was ready to go, but they made one mistake— underestimating a not-so-great Netherlands team.
The Netherlands team consisted of only a couple of MLB players. Their best pitcher was Sidney Ponson, a decent pitcher, but not overpowering. When the Dominicans played the Netherlanders in their first game of the tournament, Netherlands pulled on of the biggest upsets in sports history.
The Netherlands team defeated the powerhouse, Dominican Republic team, by a score of 3-2. The Kingdom of Netherlands shocked the whole world not once, but twice. You would think that the Dominican Republic team found out the team from Netherlands meant business after they pulled off a huge upset on them.
The Dominicans lost to the Netherlands for the SECOND time. The Netherlands won it in the 11th inning, after a liner down the first base line was misplayed by the Dominican's first basemen, which allowed the winning run to score. The Netherlands team and their fans burst into cheers and smiles, they jumped on each other and were ready for more international baseball.
Everybody in the world was so shocked about this, even the Dominican team, all their players just sat in the dugout with a puzzled look on their face, thinking "How?". The Dominican team packed their bags and went home along with China, Chinese Taipei, South Africa, Australia, Italy, Canada, and Panama.
The tournament was just starting and it looked like it couldn't get any better. The Netherland's Cinderella story came to an end after they lost the USA and Venezuela to get eliminated and lose their chance of winning the gold medal. Despite them going home, they went home with a sense of pride that they defeated a team like the Dominican Republic, and that they would be back as contenders in 2012.
Mexico also made a quick exit along with Cuba and Puerto Rico. The defending WBC champs, Japan, were playing great along with their rivals, Korea. They faced each other four times and had an even two wins each. Team USA and Team Venezuela also advanced to the semifinals.
The tournament was turning out to be a great one. With David Wright's game-winning hit against Puerto Rico, Team USA was pumped to go all the way. Then powerhouse Venezuela faced Korea in the semifinals and got their butts handed to them in a 10-2 whooping.
Yet another team was sent packing home as Team USA's great run came to a screeching halt when the defending champs, Japan, beat them 9-4. It all came down to the two Asian rivals: Japan and Korea. Some say that the Japan—Korea rivalry was as intense as the Yankees—Red Sox rivalry.
The two teams were on the grandest stage of international baseball and were playing for all the marbles. It was a great game, the two teams kept it so close that nine innings couldn't decide the 2009 WBC champs.
The two teams pured their blood, sweat, and tears into this game, but their can only be one winner.
In the top of the 10th inning, Japan's Ichiro Suzuki hit a clutch two-run single, handing his team a 5-3 lead. It was up to Japanese phenom, Yu Darvish, to close up the game and seal Japan's second straight WBC title.
The Japanese and Korean fans watched as they bit their nails—Yu Darvish did it! He got the three biggest outs of his life, all that was left to do was celebrate with his team and country.
I sit here in my room, sad that their is no more WBC. It was amazing and I loved every bit of it. It was great having a playoff type of atmosphere around you. I congratulate Japan and Korea for making it to the finals. They represented their country great along with many other teams. I can't wait until the spring of 2012.
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