Before the 2023 MLB season starts, the World Baseball Classic will occupy our screens and our minds.
It’s an increasingly exciting tournament with some of the best countries and players in the world.
Many major leagues usually participate, and this year will be no different.
Team USA, Japan, and the Dominican Republic are the favorites to lift the trophy on March 21, but Venezuela, Mexico, South Korea, Cuba, and Puerto Rico are also threats.
Speaking of the Dominican Republic, they hold an impressive record in the competition.
The only team EVER to go undefeated in the World Baseball Classic. 😤 pic.twitter.com/EQnuDntRi4
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) February 2, 2023
That was an incredibly impressive team.
Dominant would be the most appropriate word to describe them.
The pitching held hitters to a .168 batting average and had a 1.74 ERA; while the offense hit seven home runs and hit enough to put up a +22 run differential in just eight games.
Going 8-0 at the international level, against some of the best teams in the world, is an incredible achievement.
That Dominican team had sluggers like Nelson Cruz, Robinson Cano, Carlos Santana, Edwin Encarnacion, Hanley Ramirez, and many others.
Edinson Volquez, Wandy Rodriguez, Octavio Dotel, Kelvin Herrera, Santiago Casilla and closer Fernando Rodney were some of the hurlers on that roster.
Name-wise, it wasn’t the best Dominican team in a Classic.
However, they were hot at the right time, their pitchers got important outs, and they were able to beat a tough Puerto Rico team in the final game en route to their first and only WBC title.
This time, the Dominicans have even more stars.
Will they be able to replicate their success, 10 years later?
