World Baseball Classic

Japan's Kazuma Okamoto runs to the first base as he hits a double during the World Baseball Classic (WBC) quarter-final game between Japan and Italy at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 16, 2023. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP) (Photo by YUICHI YAMAZAKI/AFP via Getty Images)

It’s time we give the World Baseball Classic the respect it deserves

The problems and possibilities of MLB expansion into Japan

World Baseball Classic: Why it was a success and necessary

Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout’s WBC duel was potential taste of future

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Shohei Ohtani (R) #16 of Team Japan is awarded the trophy by the 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 Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

World Baseball Classic: Shohei Ohtani polishes off Mike Trout, Team USA

USA's dugout celebrates a hit against Great Britain during the World Baseball Classic at Chase Field in Phoenix on March 11, 2023.Baseball World Baseball Classic Opening Day

World Baseball Classic just as big for players looking to make a roster

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 20: Munetaka Murakami #55 of Team Japan celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run double to defeat Team Mexico 6-5 in the World Baseball Classic Semifinals at loanDepot park on March 20, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

World Baseball Classic: Japan to the WBC title game in a thriller

DraftKings World Baseball Classic Sportsbook Promo: Bet $5, Win $150 on Finals

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 19: Trea Turner #8 of Team USA rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning against Team Cuba during the World Baseball Classic Semifinals at loanDepot park on March 19, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Team USA offense hits high gear vs. Cuba in World Baseball Classic

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 18: Trea Turner #8 of Team USA hits a grand slam in the top of the 8th inning during the 2023 World Baseball Classic Quarterfinal game between Team USA and Team Venezuela at loanDepot park on March 18, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images)

World Baseball Classic: Trea Turner’s grand heroics lift Team USA

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 17: Issac Paredes #17 of Team Mexico reacts after hitting a RBI single during the seventh inning against Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic Quarterfinals game at loanDepot park on March 17, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

World Baseball Classic Day 10: The tortoise and the hare updated

Japan's Shohei Ohtani pitches during the World Baseball Classic (WBC) quarter-final game between Japan and Italy at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 16, 2023. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP) (Photo by YUICHI YAMAZAKI/AFP via Getty Images)

World Baseball Classic matchup we need: Angels face off in Japan vs. USA

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 15: Infielders Mike Trout #27, Nolan Arenado #28 and Paul Goldschmidt #46 of Team USA celebrate after defeating Team Colombia in the World Baseball Classic Pool C game at Chase Field on March 15, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. Team USA defeated Team Colombia 3-2. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

World Baseball Classic Day 9: Mike Trout carries Team USA

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 15: Edwin Diaz #39 of Puerto Rico is helped off the field after being injured during the on-field celebration after defeating the Dominican Republic during the World Baseball Classic Pool D at loanDepot park on March 15, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)

World Baseball Classic: Edwin Diaz injury is just foolish

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 14: Manager Ernie Whitt #12 of Team Canada looks on during the World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Team Colombia at Chase Field on March 14, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

World Baseball Classic Day 8: USA, Canada theme is “Just win, baby!”

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 13: (L-R) Pitchers Yacksel Rios #75, Jose De Leon #87, Edwin Diaz #39 and Duane Underwoond Jr. #56 pose for a photo after throwing a combined no-hitter against Israel at loanDepot park on March 13, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)

World Baseball Classic: Puerto Rico’s imperfectly perfect game

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 12: Tyler O'Neill #27 of Team Canada safely slides in to home against Team Great Britain during the first inning of the World Baseball Classic Pool C game at Chase Field on March 12, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

St. Louis Cardinals fans getting plenty of hope from World Baseball Classic

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 12: Joey Meneses #32 of Team Mexico celebrates with Julio Urías #7 after hitting a two-run home run against Team USA during the first inning of the World Baseball Classic Pool C game at Chase Field on March 12, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

World Baseball Classic Day 6: Team USA hits a speed bump vs. Mexico

TAICHUNG, TAIWAN - MARCH 12: Ariel Martinez #40 of Team Cuba waving flag of Cuba after winning the World Baseball Classic Pool A game between Chinese Taipei and Cuba at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium on March 12, 2023 in Taichung, Taiwan. (Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images)

World Baseball Classic Day 5: Cuba, Italy win the numbers game

Feb 22, 2023; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (9) poses for a photo during Photo Day at Surprise Stadium Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

3 MLB prospects leading 3 World Baseball Classic underdogs

TAICHUNG, TAIWAN - MARCH 11:Yu Chang #18 of Chinese Taipei hits a grand slam at the bottom of the 2nd inning during the World Baseball Classic Pool A game between Netherlands and Chinese Taipei at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium on March 11, 2023 in Taichung, Taiwan. (Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images)

World Baseball Classic: Chang carries Chinese Taipei to an ambush win

TAICHUNG, TAIWAN - MARCH 10: Tzu Wei Lin #5 of Chinese Taipei hit a solo home run at the bottom of the 1st inning during the World Baseball Classic Pool A game between Italy and Chinese Taipei at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium on March 10, 2023 in Taichung, Taiwan. (Photo by Kenny Hsu - CaptureAt/Getty Images)

Major World Baseball Classic upset opens up Pool A

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 10: Kazuma Okamoto #25 of Japan hits a RBI single to make it 4-11 in the sixth inning during the World Baseball Classic Pool B game between Korea and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Kenta Harada/Getty Images)

World Baseball Classic Day 3: Samurai Japan’s commanding position

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 08: Mookie Betts #3 of the United States gestures to his dugout after hitting a double against the San Francisco Giants during a Spring Training exhibition game at Scottsdale Stadium on March 08, 2023 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

World Baseball Classic: Can the USA repeat as champions?

TAICHUNG, TAIWAN - MARCH 09: Yadir Drake #33 of Team Cuba hits a single at the bottom of the 3rd inning during the World Baseball Classic Pool A game between Italy and Cuba at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium on March 09, 2023 in Taichung, Taiwan. (Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images)

Big World Baseball Classic game alert: Panama vs. Cuba

Japan's Shugo Maki reacts after hitting a home run during the World Baseball Classic (WBC) Pool B round game between Japan and China at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 9, 2023. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP) (Photo by YUICHI YAMAZAKI/AFP via Getty Images)

World Baseball Classic: Japan shines, Cuba stumbles

Aug 23, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Lars Nootbaar (21) gestures after hitting a double against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

St. Louis Cardinals celebration becoming a part of Team Japan’s identity

TAICHUNG, TAIWAN - MARCH 08: Joshua Palacios #77 of Team Netherlands reacts after hitting a RBI single at the bottom of the 6th inning during the World Baseball Classic Pool A game between Cuba and Netherlands at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium on March 08, 2023 in Taichung, Taiwan. (Photo by Yung Chuan Yang/Getty Images)

What happened on the opening day of the 2023 World Baseball Classic?