Team USA manager Mark DeRosa left hoping for an alternate ending as Japan edge past USA to clinch World Baseball Classic 2023 championship

World Baseball Classic Championship: United States v Japan
World Baseball Classic Championship: United States v Japan: MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan is awarded the trophy by Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred (L) after defeating Team USA in the World Baseball Classic Championship at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)

Team Japan have done it again! On Tuesday night at LoanDepot Park in Miami, they defeated Team USA 3-2 to win the 2023 World Baseball Classic in a classic feat. Moreover, Japan accomplished it by remaining undefeated in the competition, winning each of their seven games.

Two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani retired Mike Trout of Team USA with a full-count slider to clinch Team Japan's third championship.

When Team USA manager Mark DeRosa was asked about Team USA's loss in thepost-game conference, he had an incredible choice of words.

"The baseball world won tonight. Although those guys are disappointed there, I couldn't be prouder of them. The way they came together as a team from getting together two and a half weeks ago, all the things that happened along the way, tough games, easy games, whatever it was, they truly started to bond and enjoy being around each other. But, I mean, if you were going to write a script, I was hoping it was going to go our way with Mikey popping one against Ohtani," said Mark.

DeRosa added:

"But like I said, the baseball world, this thing is real. The whole world got to see Ohtani come in, big Spot battling. It's kind of how it was kind of scripted. I just wish it would have went different."
"USA Manager Mark DeRosa gives his thoughts after the loss to Japan in the 2023 WBC Championship." - FOX Sports: MLB

In the 2023 WBC, Shohei Ohtani threw to a 1.86 ERA and batted.435 overall, was given the Most-Valuable-Player award.

When will the next World Baseball Classic be held?

World Baseball Classic Championship: United States v Japan: MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: A general view of the trophy after Team Japan defeated Team USA 3-2 during the WBC Championship at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023, in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
World Baseball Classic Championship: United States v Japan: MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: A general view of the trophy after Team Japan defeated Team USA 3-2 during the WBC Championship at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023, in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

The next edition of the World Baseball Classic will be held in 2026.

The first (2006) and the third edition (2009) of the World Baseball Classic were held after a gap of three years. Whereas, the fourth (2013) and the fifth edition (2017) were held at an interval of five years.

"The WBC will "100%" be returning in 2026, Rob Manfred has confirmed." - Front Office Sports

There will now be a three-year gap between the sixth (2023) and the seventh edition (2026) once again.

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Edited by S Chowdhury
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