News & Notes for March 9-10, 2023
About the World Baseball Classic
Globe’s Got Game: The fifth installment of the biggest international baseball tournament in the world brings many of the best players on the planet together to compete for their home countries and territories. Japan won the first two versions of the tournament, taking home trophies in 2006 and 2009. In 2013, a dominant Dominican Republic squad did not lose a game, going 8-0, in winning the title. Then, in 2017, the United States won it all. Almost 3.3 million fans from all over the world attended WBC games over the first four installments. This one-of-a-kind tournament was created to serve as a platform for increasing baseball’s worldwide exposure, attracting new fans and players to the universal game of baseball.
Since its debut, the World Baseball Classic has shown continued growth across the international stage, showcasing 16 different countries and territories in both 2006 and 2009. In 2013, a new Qualifier round was introduced. A total of 12 new countries were invited to participate in the Fall 2012 event along with four teams from the 2009 tournament that were required to re-qualify for the 2013 Classic, to fill another 16-federation field. The Qualifying Round returned for the 2017 edition of the WBC, leading to the first-ever WBC berths for the national teams of Colombia and Israel. For the 2023 edition, the field expanded to 20 – with all 16 countries that participated in the ‘17 WBC returning, along with four additional teams from the Qualifying Round. National teams of Great Britain, Nicaragua and the Czech Republic each received a first-ever WBC berth, and Panama qualified to return for the first time since 2009.
The competitive format of the 2023 World Baseball Classic will feature 10 Round Robin games per pool during the First Round, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the single-elimination bracket, consisting of four quarterfinal games in the Second Round followed by three single-elimination games in the Championship Round.
For a complete schedule and ticket information, go to worldbaseballclassic.com.
FORMAT AND LOCATIONS
FIRST ROUND (ROUND ROBIN)
Pool A: Chinese Taipei, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Cuba, Italy, Panama at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium, Taichung, Taiwan, March 8-12
Pool B: Japan, Korea, Australia, China, Czech Republic at Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan, March 9-13
Pool C: USA, Mexico, Colombia, Canada, Great Britain at Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona, March 11-15
Pool D: Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Israel, Nicaragua at loanDepot Park, Miami, Florida, March 11-15
SECOND ROUND (SINGLE ELIMINATION)
Quarterfinal 1: Pool B Runner-up vs. Pool A Winner, at Tokyo Dome, March 15
Quarterfinal 2: Pool A Runner-up vs. Pool B Winner, at Tokyo Dome, March 16
Quarterfinal 3: Pool C Runner-up vs. Pool D Winner, at loanDepot Park, March 17
Quarterfinal 4: Pool D Runner-up vs. Pool C Winner, at loanDepot Park, March 18
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND (SINGLE ELIMINATION)
All games at loanDepot Park, March 19-21
Semifinal 1: Quarterfinal 1 Winner vs. Quarterfinal 3 Winner
Semifinal 2: Quarterfinal 2 Winner vs. Quarterfinal 4 Winner
Title game: The two winners face off
SCOREBOARD
Pool A
Game 1: Netherlands 4, Cuba 2
Game 2: Panama 12, Chinese Taipei 5
Game 3: Netherlands 3, Panama 1
Game 4: Italy 6, Cuba 3 (10 innings)
Pool A
Game 1: Australia 8, Korea 7
Game 2: Japan 8, China 1
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
All Times are Local
Friday, March 10
Pool A: Cuba vs. Panama, 12:30 p.m., Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium
Pool A: Italy vs. Chinese Taipei, 7:00 p.m., Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium
Pool B: Czech Republic vs China, 12:00 p.m., Tokyo Dome
Pool B: Korea vs. Japan, 7:00 p.m., Tokyo Dome
Saturday, March 11
Pool A: Panama vs. Italy, 12:00 p.m., Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium
Pool A: Netherlands vs. Chinese Taipei, 7:00 p.m., Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium
Pool B: China vs Australia, 12:00 p.m., Tokyo Dome
Pool B: Czech Republic vs. Japan, 7:00 p.m., Tokyo Dome
Pool C: Colombia vs. Mexico, 12:30 p.m., Chase Field
Pool C: Great Britain vs. United States, 7:00 p.m., Chase Field
Pool D: Nicaragua vs. Puerto Rico, 12:00 p.m., loanDepot Park
Pool D: Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela, 7:00 p.m., loanDepot Park
Sunday, March 12
Pool A: Chinese Taipei vs. Cuba, 12:00 p.m., Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium
Pool A: Netherlands vs. Italy, 7:00 p.m., Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium
Pool B: Czech Republic vs. Korea, 12:00 p.m., Tokyo Dome
Pool B: Japan vs. Australia, 7:00 p.m., Tokyo Dome
Pool C: Great Britain vs. Canada, 12:00 p.m., Chase Field
Pool C: Mexico vs. United States, 7:00 p.m., Chase Field
Pool D: Nicaragua vs. Israel, 12:00 p.m., loanDepot Park
Pool D: Venezuela vs. Puerto Rico, 7:00 p.m., loanDepot Park
Monday, March 13
Pool B: Australia vs. Czech Republic, 12:00 p.m., Tokyo Dome
Pool B: Korea vs. China, 7:00 p.m., Tokyo Dome
Pool C: Colombia vs. Great Britain, 12:00 p.m., Chase Field
Pool C: Canada vs. United States, 7:00 p.m., Chase Field
Pool D: Dominican Republic vs. Nicaragua, 12:00 p.m., loanDepot Park
Pool D: Israel vs. Puerto Rico, 7:00 p.m., loanDepot Park
Tuesday, March 14
Pool C: Canada vs. Colombia, 12:00 p.m., Chase Field
Pool C: Great Britain vs. Mexico, 7:00 p.m., Chase Field
Pool D: Nicaragua vs. Venezuela, 12:00 p.m., loanDepot Park
Pool D: Israel vs. Dominican Republic, 7:00 p.m., loanDepot Park
Wednesday, March 15
Pool C: Mexico vs. Canada, 12:00 p.m., Chase Field
Pool C: United States vs. Colombia, 7:00 p.m., Chase Field
Pool D: Venezuela vs. Israel, 12:00 p.m., loanDepot Park
Pool D: Puerto Rico vs. Dominican Republic, 7:00 p.m., loanDepot Park
UPCOMING PITCHERS
Cuba vs. Panama: RHP Ronald Bolaños vs. LHP Andy Otero
- Bolaños debuted with Mayabeque in the Cuban National Series in 2014. On August 4, 2016 he was signed by the San Diego Padres. At the end of 2019 he made his MLB debut with the Padres. He’s now with the Kansas City Royals organization. In 2022 he played for the Toros del Este of LIDOM.
- Otero will make his first WBC appearance with today’s start...He made one relief appearance during the WBC qualifiers in 2016, pitching a scoreless inning out of the bullpen...He spent the last two seasons in Milwaukee’s minor league system, splitting time between Triple-A Nashville and Double-A Biloxi...Before signing as a minor league free agent with the Brewers, he played in the Dominican Winter League and the Mexican Pacific Winter League...Began his career in Atlanta’s farm system, reaching High-A Carolina during his six-year tenure with the Braves.
Italy vs. Chinese Taipei: RHP Ryan Castellani vs. RHP Shao-Ching Chiang
- Castellani will make his WBC debut…signed with the Kansas City Monarchs of the independent American Association of Professional Baseball on Feb. 13…spent the majority of 2022 with Triple-A Las Vegas, going 2-1 with a 11.97 ERA and 3 saves in 26 relief appearances…also made 3 scoreless appearances with the A’s (2.2 IP) last season…has pitched in 14 Major League games with the Rockies (2020-21) and A’s (2022) with a 1-4 mark and a 5.47 ERA…tossed 4.0 hitless innings in his Major League debut on Aug. 8, 2020 @ Mariners, retiring the first 12 batters faced…selected by the Rockies in the second round of the 2014 draft out of Brophy College Prep in Phoenix.
- Chiang, 29, a native of Hualien, Taiwan, was signed as an amateur free agent by Cleveland in 2011. Chiang made it to Triple-A in 2018 and went 13-14 with a 5.11 ERA over the span of two Triple-A seasons. Chiang signed a minor league agreement with invitation to spring training with the Detroit Tigers at the end of 2019 season, but did not pitch as there was no ‘20 MiLB season. Chiang returned to Taiwan and was drafted 1st overall by the Fubon Guardians in 2021. In his first season with the Guardians, Chiang went 5-2 with 2.45 ERA in 12 starts. In 2022, he went 5-12 with a 4.70 ERA in 22 starts. Chiang was a member of the Chinese Taipei team in WBC 2017 and WBSC Premier12 2019.
Czech Republic vs China: RHP Daniel Padyšák vs. RHP Fuyang Zhao
- Padyšák (pah-DISH-ahk), born in Prague, Czech Republic … senior at Charleston Southern University in Charleston, S.C. … in four seasons at Charleston Southern, has compiled a 8-11 record and 4.93 ERA (137.0 IP, 75 ER) with 56 walks and 129 strikeouts across 40 appearances (23 starts) … four relief appearances so far in 2023, logging a 3.00 ERA (12.0 IP, 4 ER) with three walks and 15 strikeouts … tossed 5.0 scoreless innings Feb. 21 at The Citadel, allowing three hits with one walk and six strikeouts to earn the winning decision … 4.0 scoreless innings in his next appearance Feb. 26 vs. Marshall, allowing two hits with five strikeouts to earn the save.
- Zhao has been a starting pitcher for the Jiangsu Huge Horses since 2014. He was selected as a member of the U18 National Team in 2017 and won the championship of the Chinese National Game in 2021.
Korea vs. Japan: LHP Kwanghyun Kim vs RHP Yu Darvish
- Kim went 13-3 with a 2.13 ERA (second in KBO) and 153 strikeouts in 173.1 innings last season while winning his fifth championship with the SSG Landers (former SK Wyverns) of KBO. Nicknamed KK during his time in the big leagues with the St Louis Cardinals organization, Kim went 10-7 with a 2.97 ERA and two saves in 35 games, and pitched 145.2 innings in the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Kim began his professional career in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) in 2007 drafted as a 1st rounder for the SK Wyverns. He quickly established himself as one of the league's top pitchers, earning the KBO Rookie of the Year, KBO MVP, KBO Golden Glove, and had also led the league in wins and strikeouts in 2008. Kim signed the largest contract in the history of KBO in his return on a 4 yrs./$12.3M deal with the SSG Landers.
- Darvish was drafted in the first round by the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in the 2004 draft. Played seven seasons for the Fighters combining 93 wins, 1,250 strikeouts, and a 1.99 ERA. Following the 2011 season, used the posting system to play in the MLB. Pitched for the Rangers from 2012-16 and part of 2017 season before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Pitched for the Chicago Cubs for three years (2018-20) and currently pitches for the San Diego Padres. International Experience: Participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2009 WBC…Had 20 strikeouts in 13 IP (5 games, 2 of which were starts) in ‘09 WBC, most by a pitcher in a single WBC.
TEAM NOTES
POOL A
CHINESE TAIPEI
WBC HISTORY: Chinese Taipei has appeared in all four previous Classics, posting a 3-10 record entering ‘23. The team reached the second round in 2013, while it was knocked out in the first round in 2006, 2009, and 2017. Chinese Taipei lost all three games against Israel, Netherlands and Korea in 2017, the second time it went winless in the tournament (lost to Korea and China in 2009).
MEET THE MANAGER: CT manager Yueh-Ping Lin, known as “Daddy Pie,” is the CPBL all-time saves leader and one of the most celebrated and colorful players in Taiwan baseball history. Lin spent all his 13 professional seasons with the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions and retired after the 2017 season with 129 saves and a 3.88 ERA in 692 IP. Lin was named the acting manager of the Lions following the end of the 2019 season. Lin led the Lions to Taiwan Series 2020 in his first year of managerial career. With the Lions down 1-3 in the Series, Lin managed to force games 5, 6, and 7 and ultimately defeated the heavily favored CTBC Brothers. Lin became the eighth manager in CPBL history to win the title in his debut season. His record after three seasons at the helm is 166-179-9 with one title (2020) and two appearances in Taiwan Series (2020 and ‘21). Lin was a member of WBC Chinese Taipei team in 2009.
TEAM NOTES: Chinese Taipei is sporting a younger team in WBC 2023 with most of the frequent members of the national team during the past few international tournaments retiring from the national team. Only three players on this year’s roster played in the 2017 edition of the Classic (Shao-Ching Chiang, Kuan-Yu Chen and Chia-Hao Sung), while many of the players from the 2013 edition are now the members of coaching staff (Chien-Ming Wang, Cheng-Min Peng, Chien-Ming Chang, Chih-Kang Kao and Chiang-Ho Chen). On the offensive side, Chinese Taipei is expected to rely heavily on batters returned from abroad such as Yu Chang (Red Sox), Tzu-Wei Lin (former Red Sox), Tsung-Che Cheng (Pirates organization) and Nien-Ting Wu (NPB Seibu Lions). Yu Chang has been on the top of his game during the entire span of camp, while Lin and Cheng both displayed their power during the exhibition games with Wu being solid on the lineup. X-Factor: Po-Jung Wang (NPB Nippon Ham Fighters) and Li Lin (Rakuten Monkeys). As for the pitching, Chinese Taipei will also rely on a trio with former Major/Minor Leaguers: Shao-Ching Chiang (Cleveland organization), Chih-Wei Hu (Rays) and Wei-Chung Wang (Brewers/Athletics/Pirates) in addition to the local phenom Tzu-Peng Huang (Rakuten Monkeys) on the starting front. Losing Yi Chang (NPB Seibu Lions) and Jen-Ho Tseng (former Cubs) to injuries is a big blow to the pitching depth on both ends and presents more challenges to the manager. While the bullpen is filled with some of the best arms from CPBL, the task to close the game will most likely fall on the shoulder of Chia-Hao Sung (NPB Rakuten Eagles) with Yu-Shun Chen (Rakuten Monkeys) as a strong backup. X-Factor: Kai-Wei Tung (Giants organization).
NETHERLANDS
WBC HISTORY: This is the fifth World Baseball Classic for Team Kingdom of the Netherlands. In the 2006 WBC, pitcher Shairon Martis no-hit Panama to give Netherlands 10-0 win in a mercy rule shortened game (7 inn.) and lone victory of the tournament (1-2 record; 11th place finish). In the 2009 tournament, Netherlands advanced to Round Two of the WBC, defeating the Dominican Republic twice in dramatic fashion (2-4 overall record; 7th place finish. The team reached the Championship Round in each of the past two editions. Team Kingdom of the Netherlands currently is seventh in the WBSC World Rankings.
MEET THE MANAGER: Team Netherlands will be led by Field Manager Hensley Meulens again in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He enters his first season with the Colorado Rockies as hitting coach after spending the 2022 season with the New York Yankees as assistant hitting coach. Prior to joining the Yankees, he served as the bench coach for the New York Mets in 2020.. Spent 11 years with the San Francisco Giants organization, including 10 seasons with the Major League club, winning three World Series championships (2010, ’12, ’14) with San Francisco. “Bam Bam” was the first major league player from Curaçao. He represented the Netherlands as a player at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. He returned to the team as a coach for the 2004 Summer Olympics and 2009 World Baseball Classic. On July 13, 2012, he received Royal decoration of the Kingdom of the Netherlands from Consul General Bart van Bolhuis before the game. He was conferred the status of Ridder in de Orde van Oranje-Nassau – the rank of knighthood. Decoration bestowed him the title of Sir, marking the honor of being knighted by the Queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for service to monarch and country. Nicknamed “Bam Bam” from softball days back home in Curacao, when he was hitting home runs left-handed and friends compared his power to Flintstones cartoon character. He speaks five different languages: English, Spanish, Dutch, Papiamento and Japanese.
TEAM NOTES: Team Kingdom of the Netherlands has nine players that appeared in a Major League Baseball game (Xander Bogaerts - BOS, Didi Gregorius - PHI, Jurickson Profar – SD, Jonathan Schoop - DET and Andrelton Simmons – CHC, Kenley Jansen – ATL, Josh Palacios – WAS, Richie Palacios – CLE, Chadwick Tromp - ATL). Infielder Andrelton Simmons has played the third-most games (623) among players born in the Netherlands or a territory of the Netherlands in the Majors behind only Andruw Jones (2,196) and Bert Blyleven (699). Jonathan Schoop’s 174 career home runs are the second-most for a player born in the Netherlands or a territory of the Netherlands behind Andruw Jones (434). Wladimir Balentien owns the Nippon Professional Baseball single-season HR record (60 in 2013). He posted a .779 OPS in 40 games with the Reds in 2009. Five of 10 players who started in the 2017 semifinal are on this year’s roster.
CUBA
WBC HISTORY: Cuba was the runner-up of the 2006 World Baseball Classic, ranked sixth in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, placed fifth in the 2013 tournament and seventh in 2017. In the international arena, Cuba has won 25 World Cups in 32 appearances and three Olympic Games – Barcelona ’92, Atlanta ’96 and Athens ’04, in addition to silver medals in Sydney in 2000 and Beijing in 2008.
MEET THE MANAGER: Team Cuba has participated in every WBC from its beginning in 2006 with four different managers – the late Higinio Velez in 2006 and 2009, Victor Mesa in 2013, Carlos Martin 2017 and now Armando Johnson in 2023. Johnson played 12 seasons in the National Series, with Isla de la Juventud (1977-1989). He became the Manager of "Los Piratas," the team from his hometown, and has 19 National Series and two Super Leagues on his resume, an event that has since disappeared and which at the time brought together the best players in the country. Identified by his wisdom and responsibility towards work, the Cuban Baseball Federation assigned him the responsibility of teams attending international events like Under 15, Under 18 and Under 23 categories, with which he won medals of all kinds and increased the prestige that distinguishes him. "A task that satisfies and commits, for what our sport means for Cuba", he has said about his appointment to lead the team to the World Baseball Classic. "The key to the preparation has been in the collective work and the excellent atmosphere that reigns in the team, strengthened with the arrival of athletes who came from other leagues, like a big family, convinced that the purpose of the team is above of any personal interest", says this 63-year-old man, who dreams of making happy the millions of compatriots who are waiting for his performance.
TEAM NOTES: With MLB players eligible to play for Cuba in the World Baseball Classic for the first time, Luis Robert and his White Sox teammate Yoán Moncada are among the biggest stars on the Cuban team…For the first time since 2009, Yoenis Céspedes will suit up for Cuba in the World Baseball Classic. Now 37, the right-handed slugger was excellent in his lone Classic appearance, hitting .458 with two homers and a 1.480 OPS over six games. He began his MLB career with Oakland three years later and appeared in parts of eight seasons with the A’s, Red Sox, Tigers and Mets. The two-time Home Run Derby champion socked 165 dingers over 834 games as a Major Leaguer…Alfredo Despaigne enters ‘23 with seven career WBC home runs, most in tournament history.
ROAD TO TAIWAN: The team that represents Cuba in the World Baseball Classic was announced on January 25, after almost 10 days of training at the Latin American Stadium in Havana. The objective of adapting to the demands of the huge time difference with Taiwan and adding preparation matches defined the transfer to Japan, and then the first 12,116 kilometers of international transfer took place, landing in Tokyo on February 7, after stopping in Paris. A day later the flight was shorter, almost 3,000 kilometers to Okinawa Prefecture, where the first four games against teams from the professional league of that country were held. On February 22, there was a bus transfer to Miyazaki (1,118.7 km), the scene of another game of this type, and from there the road again, to sleep in Fukuoka, the starting point of the air route to Taipei (1,278 km), a city where the Cubans experienced four other clashes, three of them against professional teams. On March 3, like the rest of those called up to form Pool A, they arrived in Taichung, adding almost 166 kilometers to a well-worn journey.
ITALY
WBC HISTORY: Italy is participating in its fifth World Baseball Classic and is 6-10 all-time…Italy went 1-3 in the most recent Classic, losing a one-game playoff to Venezuela, 4-3…in 2013, Italy advanced to the Second Round for the first time in WBC history before losing a pair of one-run games to the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in Miami (both teams faced off in the championship)…Italy has never faced any of the teams in Pool A in previous WBC contests.
- Italy has won at least 1 game in all 5 WBC.
- Italy is 4-1 all-time in WBC openers, winning 3 straight (2013, '17, '23)...the 3 consecutive opening wins all came in Italy's last at-bat. scoring 11 runs total in the final frame (2 in '13, 5 in '17 and 4 in '23).
- In Game 1 @ Cuba, Italy earned its second win in WBC play without a home run (also: 6-2 win vs. Canada in 2009).
MEET THE MANAGER: Mike Piazza, who was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016, will manage Team Italy in his first World Baseball Classic…Piazza's grandfather, Rosario, was from Sciacca, Sicily, and immigrated to the U.S. in the early 1930s…Piazza played for Italy in the 2006 WBC and served as the team's hitting coach in 2009, '13…is a 12-time National League All-Star, won 10 Silver Slugger Awards and was named the 1993 NL Rookie of the Year…his 386 home runs as catcher are the most all-time at that position.
TEAM NOTES: Four members were born in Italy: RHP Matteo Bocchi, C Alberto Mineo, LHP Nicolò Pinazzi, RHP Claudio Scotti…only RHP Sam Gaviglio returns from Italy's 2017 World Baseball Classic team…Chris Denorfia (Third Base) played with Team Italy in the 2013 WBC and is now on the team's coaching staff…David and Dominic Fletcher represent the first pair of brothers to play on Team Italy in the WBC…the team trained in Scottsdale, Ariz., prior to departing for Taiwan and played two exhibition games at Douliu Stadium (3-3 tie on March 5 vs. Wei Chun Dragons and 10-1 win on March 6 vs. Uni Lions).
MISSION CLASSIC: Following Mike Piazza's 2019 announcement of his intention to manage Team Italy in this World Baseball Classic, he devised a plan called "Mission Classic," bringing American players with Italian heritage over to the country for a week…the players trained with local baseball teams, while also getting to travel through the country to connect with their family's roots…12 players on Italy's WBC roster took part in the trip: Matt Festa, Joey Marciano, Andre Pallante, Mitchell Stumpo, Vito Friscia, Brett Sullivan, David Fletcher, Dominic Fletcher, Nicky Lopez, Vinnie Pasquantino, Miles Mastrobouni and Ben DeLuzio…Team Italy has just one returning player from its 2017 WBC roster, Sam Gaviglio, fewest of any ’23 team. USA has second-fewest, with two (Nolan Arenado & Paul Goldschmidt).
PANAMA
WBC HISTORY: Team Panama is competing in its first World Baseball Classic since 2009, when it failed to score a run in going 0-2 and finishing in 15th place, one spot ahead of last-place South Africa. The Panamanian team qualified for one other WBC, going 0-3 in 2006…They were outscored 20-7 in those three games, finishing in 14th place that year. Panama failed to qualify for the tournament in 2013 and 2017…They went 2-2 in the qualifying round in both years, losing two games to Brazil in 2013 and two games to Colombia in 2017…Both of those qualifying rounds were held in Panama.
MEET THE MANAGER: Luis Ortiz returns to manage Team Panama after serving as a coach on the squad in the 2009 tournament…Ortiz, born in the Canal Zone, played four seasons as an infielder in the minor leagues with New York (AL), reaching as high as A-ball with Alexandria of the Carolina League…He currently serves as the Kansas City’s international scouting supervisor. Ortiz managed six seasons in the minor leagues with Atlanta, leading the organization’s rookie-level Gulf Coast League team from 2005-2010. Ortiz compiled 146-192 (.432) with the GCL Braves…He also worked as a scout with the club after his managerial stint, signing Christian Bethancourt and Randall Delgado among others…Both Bethancourt and Delgado will play for Ortiz in this year’s classic. Ortiz takes the managerial reins from Héctor López, who guided the club in the 2009 tournament.
TEAM NOTES: Panama City, the capital of Panama, is 9,766 miles away from Taichung, the farthest by miles of any visiting club’s capital in this pool. Havana (Team Cuba’s capital) is 8,818 miles away, while Rome (Team Italy) is 5,971 miles and Amsterdam (Team Netherlands) is the closest at 5,890 miles. Team Panama qualified for this year’s classic after winning both of its games during the qualifying round, which was held at Rod Carew National Stadium in Panama City from September 30-October 5, 2022. Panama did not allow a run during the qualifying round, first shutting out Argentina, 11-0, in a game stopped after six and half innings due to the mercy rule…Panama then beat Brazil, 4-0, to clinch a spot in the tournament. The Panamanian staff allowed five total hits over the two games, limiting Argentina to two singles before Brazil managed a double and two base hits…OF José Ramos homered in each game, while Edgar Muñoz also went deep against Brazil…Ramos hit 25 home runs last season across two levels of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ minor league system.
IN THE OPENER: Team Panama put up a pair of crooked numbers on the way to a 12-5 victory over host Chinese Taipei, scoring five times in the fourth inning and six times in the sixth in their WBC opener Wednesday night. Second baseman Jonathan Araúz led the way for Panama with a pair of RBI knocks, including a two-run single and a run-scoring double. Panama also received multi-hit efforts from catcher/first baseman Christian Bethancourt, shortstop Ruben Tejada, outfielder Luis Castillo and first baseman Jhadiel Santamaria.
POOL B
JAPAN
WBC HISTORY: Team Japan has made the final four of every previous WBC. The team won the first two WBC tournaments and reached the semifinals in 2013 before losing to eventual runner-up Puerto Rico. Also reached the semifinals in 2017 before falling to the champions of the tournament, USA. Pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka won tournament MVP for both 2006 and 2009. Overall, Japan has played 31 games in the WBC and has a 23-8 record.
MEET THE MANAGER: Hideki Kuriyama played seven seasons as an outfielder for NPB’s Yakult Swallows. He managed the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters for 10 seasons (2012-21), owning an overall record of 684-672 (.504). With two-way star Shohei Ohtani on the team roster, Kuriyama led the team to Japan Series Champions in 2016. He was appointed manager for team Japan in 2022.
GOOD START: In front of 41,000 fans, Team Japan won their first tournament game against China 8-1. Japan kept the pressure on China all night as they drew a total of 16 walks. Japan’s 16 walks vs China were the most drawn in a game in WBC history, surpassing Venezuela’s 13 vs Australia on March 9, 2006 — the same date. With runners on 1st and 3rd in the 4th, Shohei Ohtani hit a double off the wall, batting in 2 runs. He also had a single in the 8th going 2-4 with 2 RBIs and 2 walks. Ohtani was superb on the mound as well. He started the game and threw 4 scoreless innings only giving up a single in the 4th. He faced 13 hitters and threw 49 pitches and struck 5. Shosei Togo followed Ohtani and threw 3 innings giving up a solo home run. He faced 12 hitters and had 7 strikeouts. Atsuki Yuasa took the mound on the 8th and struck out all 3 hitters he faced. Hiromi Itoh finished the game with a perfect 9th striking out 2 batters. Lars Nootbaar went 2-4 with 2 walks and a stolen base. Shugo Maki blasted a solo home run in the 7th, the first for team Japan in the tournament. Tetsuto Yamada, who was hitless in 6 exhibition games hit a bases loaded single in the 8th. Catcher Takuya Kai went 1-3 with 2 RBIs.
TEAM NOTES: Team Japan held a training camp from February 17- 27 in Miyazaki. 26 players reported to camp including San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish. Team Japan played two exhibition games in Miyazaki against the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, winning the first game, 8-4, played on Feb 25, and also taking the second game, 4-2, the following day. After wrapping up their training camp in Miyazaki, team Japan stopped in Nagoya to play two exhibition games against the Chunichi Dragons. Both games had an attendance of over 35,000. Team Japan lost the first game, 7-2, on March 3. Team Japan won the second game the following day, 4-1. Roki Sasaki started this game for his final tune up for the tournament. Sasaki threw three scoreless innings, facing 11 hitters, with three strikeouts and giving up one single. Kazuma Okamoto belted the first home run (Solo HR) for team Japan. Team Japan’s third and final stop before the tournament was Osaka to play the Hanshin Tigers on March 6, and the Orix Buffaloes on March 7. Team Japan won, 8-1, against the Hanshin Tigers. Lars Nootbaar debuted for Team Japan as the starting center fielder and had two hits and an RBI. Masataka Yoshida started in left field and had a single with an RBI in his debut. Two-way super star Shohei Ohtani made his debut as the team’s DH batting third in the lineup. The 2021 AL MVP had a sensational night with two home runs and six RBIs. Team Japan won its second game in Osaka beating the Orix Buffaloes, 9-1. In the final tuneup game Munetaka Murakami, Triple Crown winner last season, blasted a three-run home run. Masataka Yoshida had a three-hit night with four RBIs. Playing in two exhibition games, Ohtani was 3-4 with two home runs and six RBIs. With over 33,000 fans in the stands, tickets for both exhibition games were sold out. Leading up to the tournament, Team Japan played six exhibition games, winning five. Kensuke Kondoh and Kazuma Okamoto had the hot bats during the exhibition games. Playing in all six games, Kondoh was 9-14 (.643) with two RBIs, Okamoto was 7-20 (.350) with six RBIs.
Four players from MLB are participating in this tournament; Yu Darvish (San Diego Padres), Lars Nootbar (St. Louis Cardinals), Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Angels) and Masataka Yoshida (Boston Red Sox). Darvish is the oldest player on the roster at age 36. He was the winning pitcher on the mound when Team Japan won the tournament in 2009. Lars Nootbaar, who is half Japanese, will be taking part in his first WBC tournament. His mother Kumiko is Japanese. He grew up in Southern California and as a child his dream was to play for the Japanese national team one day. Ohtani will be participating in his first WBC. Yoshida has played in various international tournaments such as the 2019 WBSC Premier 12 and the 2020 Olympics, but this will be his first WBC participation.
KOREA
WBC HISTORY: Is now 15-8 all-time in WBC play, advancing to the championship round in 2006 and the championship game in 2009, falling to Japan on both occasions...Took home the Gold Medal in the Olympics in Beijing in 2008, the Silver Medal in Atlanta in 1996 and the Bronze Medal in Sydney in 2000. However, Team Korea has struggled to perform in recent international competitions, and had exited early, including in the 2013, 2017 WBC and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
MEET THE MANAGER: The 2023 WBC is Kang Chul Lee’s first competition as Team Korea’s manager. Lee was a submarine-style pitcher and had played in 16 seasons in the KBO, mostly for the Haitai/Kia Tigers. He is currently second all-time in the KBO in career strikeouts and third in career wins. Lee was one of the top KBO pitchers of the 1990s, and he is the only pitcher from that league to have won 10+ games in ten consecutive seasons, achieving this feat from 1989 to 1998... After his playing career, Lee transitioned to coaching, and he was part of the coaching staff for the South Korea national baseball team that won the Silver Medal in the 2017 Asia Professional Baseball Championship. Lee then joined the Doosan Bears, serving as the team's KBO Futures League Manager in 2017, and as the KBO team's pitching coach in the 2018 season. Lee was named Manager for the KT Wiz in 2019. In his first year as Manager, Lee led the young club to its first .500 record, showcasing his skills as a leader and mentor to his players. Lee has gone to improve his team every year since, finishing second in the 2020 KBO regular season, although they didn’t make it to the Korean Series that year, losing to the Doosan Bears. However, Lee and KT Wiz defeated the Doosan Bears 4-0 in their return match and went on to win the Korean Series and became KBO champions in 2021. KT Wiz has not missed the postseason since 2020, Lee’s second year as manager.
TEAM NOTES: Team Korea has been going through a new generation change movement in recent years. Their superstars who have won international stages or had success in the big leagues have mostly retired except for a few players, and the youngest players then are now the oldest veterans on the team. Their ace and current big leaguer Hyunjin Ryu is not able to participate in this year’s competition due to rehab from elbow surgery. Hyunsoo Kim and Kwanghyun Kim have been on the national team since 2008, Hyeonjong Yang has been on Team Korea since 2010. Hyunsoo has been the Captain of the Korean National Team for the past 4 years. With their recent disappointing results in international stages, Team Korea and baseball fans in Korea are determined for a bounce back in the 2023 World Baseball Classics…Tommy ‘Hyunsu’ Edman’s nationality is USA but he is eligible to play for Team Korea as his mother is Korean. Edman’s Korean name is Hyunsu, and he asked to add ‘H’ on the back of his jersey to represent Korea. Edman visited Korea for the first time on 3/1. He was originally scheduled to travel straight to Osaka, but made the decision to visit Korea with his family…Jung-Hoo Lee is coming off a 2022 KBO MVP season in which he led the league in five offensive categories for the Kiwoom Heroes. He slashed .349/.421/.575 with a career-high 23 homers and 113 RBIs last year. He is nicknamed “Grandson of Wind” because of his father KBO legend Jong-Beom Lee, who was nicknamed “Son of the Wind”.
One of the nicknames of today’s starter Kwanghyun Kim is ‘Japan Sniper’ because of his successful pitching history against Japan in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. However, Kim did struggle against Japan afterwards. Kim and Tommy H. Edman were teammates during Kim’s MLB time with the St. Louis Cardinals. During his interview with Korean media when Edman’s joining Team Korea was confirmed, Kim said Edman’s a great teammate and he had always felt comfortable while pitching for the Cardinals knowing that he has elite infielders like Edman behind him. Closer Woosuk Go was not available during Game 1. Manager Lee said Go had a mild muscle cramp while he pitched in Team Korea’s exhibition game vs Hanshin Tigers. Go is day-to-day.
STUNNED: Korea’s shocking loss to Australia in Pool B opener of the WBC in Tokyo put a big red light on Korea’s moving to the second round of the WBC, making today’s game a must win against Japan. Korea was down 0-2 but took the lead in the 5th with Euiji Yang’s 3-run homer off Daniel McGrath, and Byungho Park hit a double to add another run to extend the lead by 2 at the end of the 6th inning. However, two reliable righties who were excellent in exhibition matches, Hyeongjun So and Wonjung Kim, and veteran lefty Hyeonjong Yang gave up 2 homers and 6 runs in the 6th and 7th inning, and their 3 runs rally in the 8th was not enough to overcome the differential. Manager Lee had previously indicated he will use KK and other veteran pitchers out of the bullpen in key situations, however, he was forced to change plans after taking the Loss in Team Korea’s WBC Opener. Korea has lost 3 consecutive WBC openers after yesterday.
AUSTRALIA
WBC HISTORY: Team Australia has appeared in all three previous World Baseball Classics, going 2-10 (.167) along the way…They defeated Team China (11-0) in 2017 and Team Mexico (17-7) in 2009 in first-round matchups…Team Australia will compete in pool play in Tokyo for the second consecutive time:
2017 – Tokyo, Japan (Pool B)
2013 – Taichung, Taiwan (Pool B)
2009 – Mexico City, Mexico (Pool B)
2006 – Lake Buena Vista, Florida (Pool D)
MEET THE MANAGER: Dave Nilsson has served as the manager of Team Australia since 2018…He has also been the manager of the Brisbane Bandits (ABL) since 2014…Nilsson is arguably the most accomplished Australian-born player to ever play Major League Baseball, amassing 10.6 Wins Above Replacement (Baseball Reference) across his eight-year Major League career…He spent his entire eight-year Major League career (1992-1999) with the Milwaukee Brewers…The left-handed hitting catcher/outfielder/first baseman was a career .284/.356/.461 hitter with 105 home runs across 837 Major League games…He hit at least 20 home runs in two seasons (1997, 1999)…In 1999, he became the first Australian-born player to be selected to Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game…Nilsson played for Team Australia in the 2006 World Baseball Classic…In 2008, he was inducted into the Sports Australia Hall of Fame.
TEAM NOTES: Team Australia reported to training camp in Fuchu City, Tokyo on February 23…The club ran its own 10-day camp from February 24 to March 3 before the official World Baseball Classic camp and exhibition games kicked off in Miyazaki on March 4…Team Australia faced off against local teams in exhibition games on March 6 and 7 against Jr. Kyushu and Seibu Gas…Team Australia has 11 players currently affiliated with Major League Baseball organizations, two of which boast MLB experience: C Alex Hall (called up to MIL in 2020; did not play), OF Aaron Whitefield (made MLB debut with MIN in 2020…returned to MLB in 2022 with LAA)…RHP Warwick Saupold (8-4, 1 SV, 4.98 ERA) appeared in 82 Major League games across three seasons (2016-18) with the Detroit Tigers.
THE LOGO:
This is the first senior men’s tournament it will be used in…The emblem acknowledges the rich history and culture of the country’s First Nations people through an Indigenous symbol designed by proud Whadjuk Noongar woman and Perth artist Jarni McGuire in 2021…It took 18 months to design…”To the right, you’ll see a diamond shape which represents the pitch. The circles around the big circle is a symbol for a star. It represents the champions of baseball,” she says…The meaning within the symbol is encompassing of past baseball players..“That’s very important,” Tim Atherton says. “In terms of the Indigenous community, the teachings and learnings all are passed down from elders. I like the fact that the star in the middle partly represents the baseball stars we are following in the footsteps of by wearing this jersey.”
CHINA
WBC HISTORY: In 2006, China took part in the inaugural World Baseball Classic and the catcher Wang Wei hit the first home run in WBC history in Team China's initial round game against eventual champions Team Japan. In 2009, China won a game over Team Chinese Taipei, who were ranked third in the world at the time.
MEET THE MANAGER: Dean Treanor has a long and decorated history in professional baseball, coaching and managing for 32 years. He enjoyed success in AAA with the Marlins and Pirates organizations, winning four division titles, and he was part of the postseason coaching staff for the 2003 World Series Champion Marlins. Additionally, he managed the 2004 Arizona Fall League Champion Phoenix Desert Dogs and the 2010-11 Dominican Winter League Champion Toros del Este. Treanor then served as the Major League Bullpen Coach with the Marlins from 2017-19, and he was inducted into the Albuquerque Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018. To this day, he is a pitching coach for MLB China.
KEY HR: The exciting moment for Team China in game one came in the top of the 6th inning when Liang Pei hit a solo home run on a line drive to left field against Shosei Togo. Liang Pei (RF) has been a valuable player for the Beijing Tigers team since 2018. He has achieved impressive feats, such as winning the Champion of the Chinese Baseball League in 2019 and playing in the All-Star game. Additionally, he recently won the Champion of the National Championships in 2020 and brought home the Bronze medal of the Chinese National Game (Baseball Event) in 2021. This is the second home run in WBC Team China history. The first one was hit by Wang Wei in 2006, who is also from the Beijing Tigers. That was also the very first HR in WBC history. Both home runs were against Team Japan.
TEAM NOTES: The Chinese Baseball Association was founded in 1979 and joined the International Baseball Federation in 1981. In 2004, China began a collaborative effort with Major League Baseball to bolster the sport in preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, where the nation was able to defeat Chinese Taipei in the first round - a historic achievement. In 2019, China won the bronze medal at the Asia Championship after defeating world No. 2 Team Korea twice. Team China played an exhibition game in Miyazaki on March 6 against the industrial team Saibu Gas, and another exhibition game against the industrial team Umeda Gakuen on March 7. China lost the game, 7-5, despite 14 base hits. Chenchen (3B) had four base hits with three RBI, while Massago (CF) had three hits…Chenchen played for the Jiangsu Hugehorses team in CBL and won the championship at the National Games in 2021. He was selected to the Chinese National team in 2014 that finished in fourth place at the Asian Championships. He participated in the AA of the American Independent League in 2018, as well as the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games the team earned fourth place.
CZECH REPUBLIC
WBC HISTORY: First time ever qualifying for the WBC … qualified in Regensburg, Germany, in Sept. 2022, going 3-1 across four contests … dropped their first game against Spain 21-7 before winning three straight against France (7-1), Germany (8-4) and Spain (3-1).
MEET THE MANAGER: Pavel Chadim (PAH-vel HA-dim) … took over as manager in Dec. 2021 following a six-year managerial stint by current bench coach Mike Griffin … spent his career as an outfielder in the Czech Extraliga, the Czech Republic’s top league … won over 10 titles as a player with Draci Brno baseball club … also played for the Czech National Team and played a part in the country’s first three European Championship appearances (‘97, ’99, 01) … batted .362 from 1995-2011 in the Extraliga … has been managing youth teams in the Czech Republic since 2003, overseeing two trips to the Little League World Series in 2013 and 2014 … has coached nearly every player on the WBC roster at some point during their baseball careers … is the leading Neurologist in the city of Brno in the Czech Republic.
TEAM NOTES: Slashed .254/.362/.523 (33-for-130) across four qualifying games in Regensburg in 2022 … five doubles, 10 home runs, 24 RBI and 68 total bases … pitched to a 6.62 clip (34.0 IP, 25 ER) with 39 hits allowed, 17 walks and 19 strikeouts … starters posted a 5.63 ERA (16.0 IP, 10 ER) while the bullpen pitched to a 7.50 clip (18.0 IP, 15 ER) … finished third in the 2020 Olympic Qualifying tournament behind Israel and Netherlands after finishing fifth in the 2019 European Baseball Championship … have finished in the top five in their last four trips to the European Baseball Championship (fifth, 2019; fifth, 2016; fourth, 2014; fifth, 2012) … only player with Major League experience is Eric Sogard, who is playing for his first time with the Czech national team following a nearly 10-year MLB career (9.81 service time) with stints in Oakland (2010-15), Milwaukee (2017-18, ‘20), Toronto (2019), Tampa Bay (2019) and Chicago-NL (2021) … last played with the Cubs in 2021, logging 78 games and a .249/.283/.314 slash line with six doubles, one triple, one home run and 12 RBI … career slash line of .246/.313/.338 with 104 doubles, 11 triples, 26 home runs and 187 RBI … have no players currently in any MLB systems.
THE VENUES
POOL A, Taichung, Taiwan: Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium will host WBC action for the second time, having also been a first-round site in 2013. The stadium opened in 2006. The first phase of construction included 15,000 infield seats, and after the second phase was completed in 2008, seating capacity was expanded to 20,000 by adding 5,000 outfield seats. Since 2015, the park has served as the home of CTBC Brothers of the CPBL.
POOL B, Tokyo, Japan: The Tokyo Dome, nicknamed the “Big Egg,” will host WBC action in both the first and second rounds. It is the fifth time that the building has hosted WBC games. Opened on March 17, 1998, the Tokyo Dome was the first domed stadium in Japan and serves as the home of the Yomiuri Tokyo Giants of the NPB. There’s a little bit of WBC incentive inside, too – the dome is the home of the Japan Baseball Hall of Fame and the trophy from Japan’s victory in the first WBC in 2006 resides there.
POOL C, Phoenix, Arizona: Chase Field will host WBC action for the third time, having also been a first-round site in 2006 and 2013. The ballpark opened in 1998 as the home of MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks. Two other venues in the Phoenix area have hosted games in prior WBCs: Scottsdale Stadium in ‘06 and Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in ‘13, both in Scottsdale.
POOL D, Miami, Florida: loanDepot Park is hosting WBC games for the third consecutive tournament. Miami will host WBC action in each round of the tournament. This will be Miami’s first time hosting the championship round. In addition to the 2013 and ‘17 tournament games at this ballpark, the city also hosted a WBC second round in 2009 at Dolphin Stadium, the former home of MLB’s Miami Marlins.
News & Notes for March 8-9, 2023
About the World Baseball Classic
Globe’s Got Game: The fifth installment of the biggest international baseball tournament in the world brings many of the best players on the planet together to compete for their home countries and territories. Japan won the first two versions of the tournament, taking home trophies in 2006 and 2009. In 2013, a dominant Dominican Republic squad did not lose a game, going 8-0, in winning the title. Then, in 2017, the United States won it all. Almost 3.3 million fans from all over the world attended WBC games over the first four installments. This one-of-a-kind tournament was created to serve as a platform for increasing baseball’s worldwide exposure, attracting new fans and players to the universal game of baseball.
Since its debut, the World Baseball Classic has shown continued growth across the international stage, showcasing 16 different countries and territories in both 2006 and 2009. In 2013, a new Qualifier round was introduced. A total of 12 new countries were invited to participate in the Fall 2012 event along with four teams from the 2009 tournament that were required to re-qualify for the 2013 Classic, to fill another 16-federation field. The Qualifying Round returned for the 2017 edition of the WBC, leading to the first-ever WBC berths for the national teams of Colombia and Israel. For the 2023 edition, the field expanded to 20 – with all 16 countries that participated in the ‘17 WBC returning, along with four additional teams from the Qualifying Round. National teams of Great Britain, Nicaragua and the Czech Republic each received a first-ever WBC berth, and Panama qualified to return for the first time since 2009.
The competitive format of the 2023 World Baseball Classic will feature 10 Round Robin games per pool during the First Round, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the single-elimination bracket, consisting of four quarterfinal games in the Second Round followed by three single-elimination games in the Championship Round.
For a complete schedule and ticket information, go to worldbaseballclassic.com.
News & Notes for March 7-8, 2023
About the World Baseball Classic
Globe’s Got Game: The fifth installment of the biggest international baseball tournament in the world brings many of the best players on the planet together to compete for their home countries and territories. Japan won the first two versions of the tournament, taking home trophies in 2006 and 2009. In 2013, a dominant Dominican Republic squad did not lose a game, going 8-0, in winning the title. Then, in 2017, the United States won it all. Almost 3.3 million fans from all over the world attended WBC games over the first four installments. This one-of-a-kind tournament was created to serve as a platform for increasing baseball’s worldwide exposure, attracting new fans and players to the universal game of baseball.
Since its debut, the World Baseball Classic has shown continued growth across the international stage, showcasing 16 different countries and territories in both 2006 and 2009. In 2013, a new Qualifier round was introduced. A total of 12 new countries were invited to participate in the Fall 2012 event along with four teams from the 2009 tournament that were required to re-qualify for the 2013 Classic, to fill another 16-federation field. The Qualifying Round returned for the 2017 edition of the WBC, leading to the first-ever WBC berths for the national teams of Colombia and Israel. For the 2023 edition, the field expanded to 20 – with all 16 countries that participated in the ‘17 WBC returning, along with four additional teams from the Qualifying Round. National teams of Great Britain, Nicaragua and the Czech Republic each received a first-ever WBC berth, and Panama qualified to return for the first time since 2009.
The competitive format of the 2023 World Baseball Classic will feature 10 Round Robin games per pool during the First Round, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the single-elimination bracket, consisting of four quarterfinal games in the Second Round followed by three single-elimination games in the Championship Round.
For a complete schedule and ticket information, go to worldbaseballclassic.com.
FORMAT AND LOCATIONS
FIRST ROUND (ROUND ROBIN)
Pool A: Chinese Taipei, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Cuba, Italy, Panama at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium, Taichung, Taiwan, March 8-12
Pool B: Japan, Korea, Australia, China, Czech Republic at Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan, March 9-13
Pool C: USA, Mexico, Colombia, Canada, Great Britain at Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona, March 11-15
Pool D: Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Israel, Nicaragua at loanDepot Park, Miami, Florida, March 11-15
SECOND ROUND (SINGLE ELIMINATION)
Quarterfinal 1: Pool B Runner-up vs. Pool A Winner, at Tokyo Dome, March 15
Quarterfinal 2: Pool A Runner-up vs. Pool B Winner, at Tokyo Dome, March 16
Quarterfinal 3: Pool C Runner-up vs. Pool D Winner, at loanDepot Park, March 17
Quarterfinal 4: Pool D Runner-up vs. Pool C Winner, at loanDepot Park, March 18
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND (SINGLE ELIMINATION)
All games at loanDepot Park, March 19-21
Semifinal 1: Quarterfinal 1 Winner vs. Quarterfinal 3 Winner
Semifinal 2: Quarterfinal 2 Winner vs. Quarterfinal 4 Winner
Title game: The two winners face off
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
All Times are Local
Wednesday, March 8
Pool A: Cuba vs. Netherlands, 12:00 p.m., Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium
Pool A: Panama vs. Chinese Taipei, 7:00 p.m., Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium
Thursday, March 9
Pool A: Panama vs. Netherlands, 12:00 p.m., Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium
Pool A: Italy vs. Cuba, 7:00 p.m., Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium
Pool B: Australia vs. Korea, 12:00 p.m., Tokyo Dome
Pool B: China vs Japan, 7:00 p.m., Tokyo Dome
Friday, March 10
Pool A: Cuba vs. Panama, 12:30 p.m., Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium
Pool A: Italy vs. Chinese Taipei, 7:00 p.m., Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium
Pool B: Czech Republic vs China, 12:00 p.m., Tokyo Dome
Pool B: Korea vs. Japan, 7:00 p.m., Tokyo Dome
Saturday, March 11
Pool A: Panama vs. Italy, 12:00 p.m., Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium
Pool A: Netherlands vs. Chinese Taipei, 7:00 p.m., Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium
Pool B: China vs Australia, 12:00 p.m., Tokyo Dome
Pool B: Czech Republic vs. Japan, 7:00 p.m., Tokyo Dome
Pool C: Colombia vs. Mexico, 12:30 p.m., Chase Field
Pool C: Great Britain vs. United States, 7:00 p.m., Chase Field
Pool D: Nicaragua vs. Puerto Rico, 12:00 p.m., loanDepot Park
Pool D: Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela, 7:00 p.m., loanDepot Park
Sunday, March 12
Pool A: Chinese Taipei vs. Cuba, 12:00 p.m., Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium
Pool A: Netherlands vs. Italy, 7:00 p.m., Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium
Pool B: Czech Republic vs. Korea, 12:00 p.m., Tokyo Dome
Pool B: Japan vs. Australia, 7:00 p.m., Tokyo Dome
Pool C: Great Britain vs. Canada, 12:00 p.m., Chase Field
Pool C: Mexico vs. United States, 7:00 p.m., Chase Field
Pool D: Nicaragua vs. Israel, 12:00 p.m., loanDepot Park
Pool D: Venezuela vs. Puerto Rico, 7:00 p.m., loanDepot Park
Monday, March 13
Pool B: Australia vs. Czech Republic, 12:00 p.m., Tokyo Dome
Pool B: Korea vs. China, 7:00 p.m., Tokyo Dome
Pool C: Colombia vs. Great Britain, 12:00 p.m., Chase Field
Pool C: Canada vs. United States, 7:00 p.m., Chase Field
Pool D: Dominican Republic vs. Nicaragua, 12:00 p.m., loanDepot Park
Pool D: Israel vs. Puerto Rico, 7:00 p.m., loanDepot Park
Tuesday, March 14
Pool C: Canada vs. Colombia, 12:00 p.m., Chase Field
Pool C: Great Britain vs. Mexico, 7:00 p.m., Chase Field
Pool D: Nicaragua vs. Venezuela, 12:00 p.m., loanDepot Park
Pool D: Israel vs. Dominican Republic, 7:00 p.m., loanDepot Park
Wednesday, March 15
Pool C: Mexico vs. Canada, 12:00 p.m., Chase Field
Pool C: United States vs. Colombia, 7:00 p.m., Chase Field
Pool D: Venezuela vs. Israel, 12:00 p.m., loanDepot Park
Pool D: Puerto Rico vs. Dominican Republic, 7:00 p.m., loanDepot Park
UPCOMING PITCHERS
Cuba vs. Netherlands: RHP Yariel Rodríguez vs. RHP Tom de Blok…Rodríguez will be making his WBC debut. Pitched in 56 games for JPCL’s Chunichi Dragons in 2022, boasting a 1.15 ERA. Began career at age 18 with Ganaderos de Camaguey of CNS in 2015-16…This will be de Blok’s first career start in the WBC but he has made two appearances out of the bullpen. He threw 2.0 scoreless innings in the 2017 WBC. Signed a professional contract in Mexico after a great start in the Olympic Qualifier in
2021 in Puebla, Mexico. Threw a perfect game in the Hoofdklasse for Amsterdam Pirates in 2021, Signed with the Detroit Tigers following the 2017 WBC (April 10). Signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners in 2013. Participated in the MLB European Academy in 2013, as well as the 2013 European Junior Championship.
Panama vs. Chinese Taipei: RHP Humberto Mejía vs. TPE RHP Chih-Wei Hu…Mejía will be making his WBC debut. Signed with the Marlins in 2013 as an amateur free agent. Made three starts for the Marlins in 2020 and five for the Diamondbacks in ’21 after an Aug. 2020 trade. Made 10 starts for Leones del Escogido in 2022-23 LIDOM, with 2.32 ERA in 50 1/3 IP…Hu, a native of Taichung, Taiwan, was signed by the Minnesota Twins as an amateur free agent in 2012 and traded to Tampa Bay Rays in 2015. Hu made his MLB debut with the Rays on April 24, 2017 and pitched a perfect 1-2-3 inning against the Orioles. Hu later was traded to Cleveland (2018) and signed with the Cubs (2019) and the Padres (2019) before returning to Taiwan in 2021. After coming back to Taiwan, Hu was drafted by the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions (1st round, 4th overall) in 2021 and signed a 2.5-yr contract. Hu made his hometown debut on Aug. 29, 2021, and went 9-13 with a 3.35 ERA in 140.2 IP in 2022. Hu previously represented Taiwan in Incheon Asian Games 2014 and WBSC Premier12 2019.
TEAM NOTES
POOL A
CHINESE TAIPEI
WBC HISTORY: Chinese Taipei has appeared in all four previous Classics, posting a 3-10 record. The team reached the second round in 2013, while it was knocked out in the first round in 2006, 2009, and 2017. Chinese Taipei lost all three games against Israel, Netherlands and Korea in 2017, the second time it went winless in the tournament (lost to Korea and China in 2009).
MEET THE MANAGER: CT manager Yueh-Ping Lin, known as “Daddy Pie,” is the CPBL all-time saves leader and one of the most celebrated and colorful players in Taiwan baseball history. Lin spent all his 13 professional seasons with the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions and retired after the 2017 season with 129 saves and a 3.88 ERA in 692 IP. Lin was named the acting manager of the Lions following the end of the 2019 season. Lin led the Lions to Taiwan Series 2020 in his first year of managerial career. With the Lions down 1-3 in the Series, Lin managed to force games 5, 6, and 7 and ultimately defeated the heavily favored CTBC Brothers. Lin became the eighth manager in CPBL history to win the title in his debut season. His record after three seasons at the helm is 166-179-9 with one title (2020) and two appearances in Taiwan Series (2020 and ‘21). Lin was a member of WBC Chinese Taipei team in 2009.
TEAM NOTES: Chinese Taipei is sporting a younger team in WBC 2023 with most of the frequent members of the national team during the past few international tournaments retiring from the national team. Only three players on this year’s roster played in the 2017 edition of the Classic (Shao-Ching Chiang, Kuan-Yu Chen and Chia-Hao Sung), while many of the players from the 2013 edition are now the members of coaching staff (Chien-Ming Wang, Cheng-Min Peng, Chien-Ming Chang, Chih-Kang Kao and Chiang-Ho Chen). On the offensive side, Chinese Taipei is expected to rely heavily on batters returned from abroad such as Yu Chang (Red Sox), Tzu-Wei Lin (former Red Sox), Tsung-Che Cheng (Pirates organization) and Nien-Ting Wu (NPB Seibu Lions). Yu Chang has been on the top of his game during the entire span of camp, while Lin and Cheng both displayed their power during the exhibition games with Wu being solid on the lineup. X-Factor: Po-Jung Wang (NPB Nippon Ham Fighters) and Li Lin (Rakuten Monkeys). As for the pitching, Chinese Taipei will also rely on a trio with former Major/Minor Leaguers: Shao-Ching Chiang (Cleveland organization), Chih-Wei Hu (Rays) and Wei-Ching Wang (Brewers/Athletics/Pirates) in addition to the local phenom Tzu-Peng Huang (Rakuten Monkeys) on the starting front. Losing Yi Chang (NPB Seibu Lions) and Jen-Ho Tseng (former Cubs) to injuries is a big blow to the pitching depth on both ends and presents more challenges to the manager. While the bullpen is filled with some of the best arms from CPBL, the task to close the game will most likely fall on the shoulder of Chia-Hao Sung (NPB Rakuten Eagles) with Yu-Shun Chen (Rakuten Monkeys) as a strong backup. X-Factor: Kai-Wei Tung (Giants organization).
NETHERLANDS
WBC HISTORY: This is the fifth World Baseball Classic for Team Kingdom of the Netherlands. In the 2006 WBC, pitcher Shairon Martis no-hit Panama to give Netherlands 10-0 win in a mercy rule shortened game (7 inn.) and lone victory of the tournament (1-2 record; 11th place finish). In the 2009 tournament, Netherlands advanced to Round Two of the WBC, defeating the Dominican Republic twice in dramatic fashion (2-4 overall record; 7th place finish. The team reached the Championship Round in each of the past two editions. Team Kingdom of the Netherlands currently is seventh in the WBSC World Rankings.
MEET THE MANAGER: Team Netherlands will be led by Field Manager Hensley Meulens again in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He enters his first season with the Colorado Rockies as hitting coach after spending the 2022 season with the New York Yankees as assistant hitting coach. Prior to joining the Yankees, he served as the bench coach for the New York Mets in 2020.. Spent 11 years with the San Francisco Giants organization, including 10 seasons with the Major League club, winning won three World Series championships (2010, ’12, ’14) with San Francisco. “Bam Bam” was the first major league player from Curaçao. He represented the Netherlands as a player at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. He returned to the team as a coach for the 2004 Summer Olympics and 2009 World Baseball Classic. On July 13, 2012, he received Royal decoration of the Kingdom of the Netherlands from Consul General Bart van Bolhuis before the game. He was conferred the status of Ridder in de Orde van Oranje-Nassau – the rank of knighthood. Decoration bestowed him the title of Sir, marking the honor of being knighted by the Queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for service to monarch and country. Nicknamed “Bam Bam” from softball days back home in Curacao, when he was hitting home runs left-handed and friends compared his power to Flintstones cartoon character. He speaks five different languages: English, Spanish, Dutch, Papiamento and Japanese.
TEAM NOTES: Team Kingdom of the Netherlands has nine players that appeared in a Major League Baseball game (Xander Bogaerts - BOS, Didi Gregorius - PHI, Jurickson Profar – SD, Jonathan Schoop - DET and Andrelton Simmons – CHC, Kenley Jansen – ATL, Josh Palacios – WAS, Richie Palacios – CLE, Chadwick Tromp - ATL). Infielder Andrelton Simmons has played the third-most games (623) among players born in the Netherlands or a territory of the Netherlands in the Majors behind only Andruw Jones (2,196) and Bert Blyleven (699). Jonathan Schoop’s 174 career home runs are the second-most for a player born in the Netherlands or a territory of the Netherlands behind Andruw Jones (434). Wladimir Balentien owns the Nippon Professional Baseball single-season HR record (60 in 2013). He posted a .779 OPS in 40 games with the Reds in 2009. Five of 10 players who started in the 2017 semifinal are on this year’s roster.
CUBA
WBC HISTORY: Cuba was the runner-up of the 2006 World Baseball Classic, ranked sixth in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, placed fifth in the 2013 tournament and seventh in 2017. In the international arena, Cuba has won 25 World Cups in 32 appearances and three Olympic Games – Barcelona ’92, Atlanta ’96 and Athens ’04, in addition to silver medals in Sydney in 2000 and Beijing in 2008.
MEET THE MANAGER: Team Cuba has participated in every WBC from its beginning in 2006 with four different managers – the late Higinio Velez in 2006 and 2009, Victor Mesa in 2013, Carlos Martin 2017 and now Armando Johnson in 2023. Johnson played 12 seasons in the National Series, with Isla de la Juventud (1977-1989). He became the Manager of "Los Piratas," the team from his hometown, and has 19 National Series and two Super Leagues on his resume, an event that has since disappeared and which at the time brought together the best players in the country. Identified by his wisdom and responsibility towards work, the Cuban Baseball Federation assigned him the responsibility of teams attending international events like Under 15, Under 18 and Under 23 categories, with which he won medals of all kinds and increased the prestige that distinguishes him. "A task that satisfies and commits, for what our sport means for Cuba", he has said about his appointment to lead the team to the World Baseball Classic. "The key to the preparation has been in the collective work and the excellent atmosphere that reigns in the team, strengthened with the arrival of athletes who came from other leagues, like a big family, convinced that the purpose of the team is above of any personal interest", says this 63-year-old man, who dreams of making happy the millions of compatriots who are waiting for his performance.
TEAM NOTES: With MLB players eligible to play for Cuba in the World Baseball Classic for the first time, Luis Robert and his White Sox teammate Yoán Moncada are among the biggest stars on the Cuban team…For the first time since 2009, Yoenis Céspedes will suit up for Cuba in the World Baseball Classic. Now 37, the right-handed slugger was excellent in his lone Classic appearance, hitting .458 with two homers and a 1.480 OPS over six games. He began his MLB career with Oakland three years later and appeared in parts of eight seasons with the A’s, Red Sox, Tigers and Mets. The two-time Home Run Derby champion socked 165 dingers over 834 games as a Major Leaguer…Alfredo Despaigne enters ‘23 with seven career WBC home runs, most in tournament history.
ITALY
WBC HISTORY: Italy is participating in its fifth World Baseball Classic and is 5-10 all-time…Italy went 1-3 in the most recent Classic, losing a one-game playoff to Venezuela, 4-3…in 2013, Italy advanced to the Second Round for the first time in WBC history before losing a pair of one-run games to the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in Miami (both teams faced off in the championship)…Italy has never faced any of the teams in Pool A in previous WBC contests.
MEET THE MANAGER: Mike Piazza, who was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016, will manage Team Italy in his first World Baseball Classic…Piazza's grandfather, Rosario, was from Sciacca, Sicily, and immigrated to the U.S. in the early 1930s…Piazza played for Italy in the 2006 WBC and served as the team's hitting coach in 2009, '13…is a 12-time National League All-Star, won 10 Silver Slugger Awards and was named the 1993 NL Rookie of the Year…his 386 home runs as catcher are the most all-time at that position.
TEAM NOTES: Four members were born in Italy: RHP Matteo Bocchi, C Alberto Mineo, LHP Nicolò Pinazzi, RHP Claudio Scotti…only RHP Sam Gaviglio returns from Italy's 2017 World Baseball Classic team…Chris Denorfia (Third Base) played with Team Italy in the 2013 WBC and is now on the team's coaching staff…David and Dominic Fletcher represent the first pair of brothers to play on Team Italy in the WBC…the team trained in Scottsdale, Ariz., prior to departing for Taiwan and played two exhibition games at Douliu Stadium (3-3 tie on March 5 vs. Wei Chun Dragons and 10-1 win on March 6 vs. Uni Lions).
MISSION CLASSIC: Following Mike Piazza's 2019 announcement of his intention to manage Team Italy in this World Baseball Classic, he devised a plan called "Mission Classic," bringing American players with Italian heritage over to the country for a week…the players trained with local baseball teams, while also getting to travel through the country to connect with their family's roots…12 players on Italy's WBC roster took part in the trip: Matt Festa, Joey Marciano, Andre Pallante, Mitchell Stumpo, Vito Friscia, Brett Sullivan, David Fletcher, Dominic Fletcher, Nicky Lopez, Vinnie Pasquantino, Miles Mastrobouni and Ben DeLuzio.
PANAMA
WBC HISTORY: Team Panama is competing in its first World Baseball Classic since 2009, when it failed to score a run in going 0-2 and finishing in 15th place, one spot ahead of last-place South Africa. The Panamanian team qualified for one other WBC, going 0-3 in 2006…They were outscored 20-7 in those three games, finishing in 14th place that year. Panama failed to qualify for the tournament in 2013 and 2017…They went 2-2 in the qualifying round in both years, losing two games to Brazil in 2013 and two games to Colombia in 2017…Both of those qualifying rounds were held in Panama.
MEET THE MANAGER: Luis Ortiz returns to manage Team Panama after serving as a coach on the squad in the 2009 tournament…Ortiz, born in the Canal Zone, played four seasons as an infielder in the minor leagues with New York (AL), reaching as high as A-ball with Alexandria of the Carolina League…He currently serves as the Kansas City’s international scouting supervisor. Ortiz managed six seasons in the minor leagues with Atlanta, leading the organization’s rookie-level Gulf Coast League team from 2005-2010. Ortiz compiled 146-192 (.432) with the GCL Braves…He also worked as a scout with the club after his managerial stint, signing Christian Bethancourt and Randall Delgado among others…Both Bethancourt and Delgado will play for Ortiz in this year’s classic. Ortiz takes the managerial reins from Héctor López, who guided the club in the 2009 tournament.
TEAM NOTES: Panama City, the capital of Panama, is 9,766 miles away from Taichung, the farthest by miles of any visiting club’s capital in this pool. Havana (Team Cuba’s capital) is 8,818 miles away, while Rome (Team Italy) is 5,971 miles and Amsterdam (Team Netherlands) is the closest at 5,890 miles. C Ivan Herrera is set to face his teammate and batterymate RHP Andre Pallante on Friday, March 10 here in Taiwan, when Panama faces team Italy...The two played for the St. Louis Cardinals last season, with Herrera catching Pallante once on June 19 in Boston…Pallante took the loss in a 6-4 defeat at Fenway Park. Team Panama qualified for this year’s classic after winning both of its games during the qualifying round, which was held at Rod Carew National Stadium in Panama City from September 30-October 5, 2022. Panama did not allow a run during the qualifying round, first shutting out Argentina, 11-0, in a game stopped after six and half innings due to the mercy rule…Panama then beat Brazil, 4-0, to clinch a spot in the tournament. The Panamanian staff allowed five total hits over the two games, limiting Argentina to two singles before Brazil managed a double and two base hits…OF José Ramos homered in each game, while Edgar Muñoz also went deep against Brazil…Ramos hit 25 home runs last season across two levels of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ minor league system.
THE VENUES
POOL A, Taichung, Taiwan: Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium will host WBC action for the second time, having also been a first-round site in 2013. The stadium opened in 2006. The first phase of construction included 15,000 infield seats, and after the second phase was completed in 2008, seating capacity was expanded to 20,000 by adding 5,000 outfield seats. Since 2015, the park has served as the home of CTBC Brothers of the CPBL.
POOL B, Tokyo, Japan: The Tokyo Dome, nicknamed the “Big Egg,” will host WBC action in both the first and second rounds. It is the fifth time that the building has hosted WBC games. Opened on March 17, 1998, the Tokyo Dome was the first domed stadium in Japan and serves as the home of the Yomiuri Tokyo Giants of the NPB. There’s a little bit of WBC incentive inside, too – the dome is the home of the Japan Baseball Hall of Fame and the trophy from Japan’s victory in the first WBC in 2006 resides there.
POOL C, Phoenix, Arizona: Chase Field will host WBC action for the third time, having also been a first-round site in 2006 and 2013. The ballpark opened in 1998 as the home of MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks. Two other venues in the Phoenix area have hosted games in prior WBCs: Scottsdale Stadium in ‘06 and Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in ‘13, both in Scottsdale.
POOL D, Miami, Florida: loanDepot Park is hosting WBC games for the third consecutive tournament. Miami will host WBC action in each round of the tournament. This will be Miami’s first time hosting the championship round. In addition to the 2013 and ‘17 tournament games at this ballpark, the city also hosted a WBC second round in 2009 at Dolphin Stadium, the former home of MLB’s Miami Marlins.
