The World Baseball Classic is a athletic tournament which takes place every three years and features professional and amateur baseball players from around the world. Each participating country brings a national team which represents the country in the tournament. The event is sanctioned by Major League Baseball, the MLB players association and the International Baseball Federation.
The 2009 World Baseball Classic began on March 5. The defending champion Japan defeated Korea in the finals at Dodger Stadium on March 23, 2009, with a score of 5-3 to win the Classic.ESPN.com: Ichiro Comes Through With Big Hit as Japan Wins WBC
2009 WBC Participants
- Pool A
- China - eliminated
- Chinese Taipei - eliminated
- Japan - winner
- Korea - runner-up
- Pool B
- Australia - eliminated
- Cuba - eliminated
- Mexico - eliminated
- South Africa - eliminated
- Pool C
- Canada - eliminated
- Italy - eliminated
- USA - eliminated
- Venezuela - eliminated
- Pool D
- Domincan Republic - eliminated
- Kingdom of Netherlands
- Panama - eliminated
- Puerto Rico - eliminated
2006 WBC
The first World baseball classic took place on March 3 and continued through March 20, 2006. The champion of the first tournament was the team from Japan led by Ichiro Suzuki and Daisuke Matsuzaka. The team from Japan defeated Team Cuba in the finals by the score of 10-6. Both teams had a record of five wins and three losses throughout the tournament. South Korea came in third place for the tournament. MLB.com: Inaugral classic lived up to its name (November 5, 2008)
2006 WBC Participants
- Australia
- Canada
- China
- Chinese Taipei
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Italy
- Japan
- Mexico
- Netherlands
- Panama
- Puerto Rico
- South Africa
- South Korea
- United States
- Venezuela
World Baseball Classic News and Information
ESPN.com: Dice-K, Japan Beat U.S. to Go To WBC Finals (March 22, 2009)
ESPN Video: Japan Eliminates USA, 9-4 (Time: 1:28)
ESPN.com: South Korea Reaches World Baseball Classic Final (March 21, 2009)
CBSSports.com: WBC shocker: Netherlands rallies... ousts Dominican Republic (March 10, 2009)
Los Angeles Times: South Korea sails past Chinese Taipei... (March 7, 2009)
USA Today: USA ready for World Baseball Classic... (March 5, 2009)
MLB.com: Rosters set for World Baseball Classic (February 25, 2009)
ESPN.com: Health of pitchers remains a huge issue for WBC (January 24, 2009)
MLB.com: Team USA roster taking shape (January 9, 2009)
MLB.com: Cubans ready for another Classic run (November 7, 2008)
MLB.com: American stars anticipating Classic (November 6, 2008)
MLB.com: Japan seeking repeat in Classic (November 5, 2008)
FOX Sports: Baseball needs to work on its calendar (November 4, 2008)
MLB.com: '09 Classic features new venues, format (November 3, 2008)
MLB.com: Ichiro to play in World Baseball Classic (October 20, 2008)
MLB.com: Dodger Stadium to host Classic finals (July 31, 2008)
Los Angeles Times: Dodgers to play host to World Baseball Classic (July 18, 2008)
USA Today: World Baseball Classic sites announced for 2009 (March 24, 2008)
MLB.com: Plenty of suggestions for better Classic (March 23, 2008)
Official Site: Japan crowned Classic's first champ (March 21 2006)
ESPN.com: World Cup announcement made (May 10, 2005)
Official Site: World Baseball Classic FAQ
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
2009 Tournament began on March 5
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Fact:
WBC finals held March 23, 2009
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Fact:
2009 finals took place at Dodger Stadium
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Fact:
Sanctioned by Major League Baseball, MLB Players association and the Internatioal Baseball Federation
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2006 WBC Champions
Japan
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First tournament took place
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Fact:
Team Japan defeated Team Cuba in the 2006 finals 10-6
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Fact:
Team South Korea came in third in 2006
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Fact:
Team Dominican Republic came in fourth in 2006
