caulfield12 Posted October 28, 2025 Share Posted October 28, 2025 Table with 3 columns and 9 rows. Sorted ascending by column "Player" Player Position Team 1 Hideki Nagaoka SS Tokyo 2 Kazuma Okamoto 1B Yomiuri 3 Kensuke Kondoh CF Fukuoka 4 Masataka Yoshida LF 5 Munetaka Murakami 3B Tokyo 6 Seiya Suzuki RF 7 Shohei Ohtani DH 8 Shugo Maki 2B Yokohama 9 Yuudai Yamamoto C Yokohama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted October 28, 2025 Author Share Posted October 28, 2025 (edited) Looks like Guardians' Stephen Kwan might join Team Samurai due to grandparents' ancestry https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/3202350 Edited October 28, 2025 by caulfield12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted October 28, 2025 Author Share Posted October 28, 2025 (edited) https://mykbostats.com/players/2281-Kim-Doyeong-Kia-Tigers Biggest rising star in Korea, 3B, but had a down/off year in 2025 after catching everyday never by surprise with his age 21 KBO season. https://worldbaseball.com/early-preview-south-koreas-potential-2026-wbc-lineup/ Edited October 28, 2025 by caulfield12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted November 6, 2025 Author Share Posted November 6, 2025 (edited) 2023 WBC TV Ratings In Japan, the March 10th Japan vs. Korea game on TBS registered a 44.4 rating, making it the most-watched game in the history of the World Baseball Classic in any country. The game outrated all sports competition during the Tokyo Olympics. Japan’s four First Round games averaged a 42.3 rating in the country. In Taiwan, Chinese Taipei’s four First Round games averaged 1.301 million viewers on EBC News, an increase of +151% vs. the 2017 tournament. The average viewership of all four Chinese Taipei games were higher than all other sports programming in the market since September 2021. In Korea, the four games featuring South Korea on SBS/KBS/MBC averaged 1.781 million viewers marking a +35% increase vs. the 2017 First Round average. South Korea’s match-up against Japan, which averaged 2.709 million viewers, was the most-watched World Baseball Classic game in Korea since their championship game competition against Japan in 2009. Then you have Mexico, which is another huge TV market. 2.2 million for Japan/Mexico semi- finals...and 5.3 million total for Taiwan S.Korea and Mexico combined sportsmediawatch.com Edited November 6, 2025 by caulfield12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted December 24, 2025 Author Share Posted December 24, 2025 https://www.yahoo.com/sports/articles/aaron-judge-sends-message-bryce-183652735.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chitownsportsfan Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 Brother you gotta come back for the WBC. I've been getting hyped watching last tourney's games and some of the team Taiwan training footage. Bud Selig had a bunch of crap as a commish but helping create the WBC is a big time feather in his cap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted February 17 Author Share Posted February 17 (edited) The final roster spot is expected to come down to Shota Imanaga (Chicago Cubs), Kodai Senga (New York Mets), or Masataka Yoshida (Boston Red Sox), with Yoshida viewed as the favorite pending MLB approval from the Boston Red Sox. If permission is not granted, Japan may instead opt for an NPB outfielder such as Yuki Okabayashi (Chunichi Dragons), Chusei Mannami (Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters), or Yuki Yanagita (Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks). OF – Seiya Suzuki (Chicago Cubs) OF – Shota Morishita (Hanshin Tigers) OF – Ukyo Shuto (Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks) OF – Kensuke Kondoh (Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks) UTL – Taisei Makihara (Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks) Notable omissions from the squad include young flamethrower Shunpeita Yamashita (Orix Buffaloes), closer Shinya Matsuyama (Chunichi Dragons), and rising shortstop Yuta Izuguchi (Yomiuri Giants). Pitchers Roki Sasaki (Los Angeles Dodgers) and Tatsuya Imai (Houston Astros) were previously ruled out in order for them to prioritize their respective teams and get ready for the MLB season. https://worldbaseball.com/samurai-japan-reveals-2026-world-baseball-classic-roster/ Edited February 17 by caulfield12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted February 17 Author Share Posted February 17 (edited) Team Samurai vs. NPB teams Sunday, February 22, 2026 – vs. Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks – Miyazaki (venue TBD) Monday, February 23, 2026 – vs. Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks – Miyazaki (venue TBD) Friday, February 27, 2026 – at Chunichi Dragons – Nagoya Dome Saturday, February 28, 2026 – at Chunichi Dragons – Nagoya Dome Monday, March 2, 2026 – vs. Orix Buffaloes – Kyocera Dome Osaka – 7:00 PM JST Tuesday, March 3, 2026 – vs. Hanshin Tigers – Kyocera Dome Osaka – 7:00 PM JST 2026 World Baseball Classic Team Japan Schedule & Bracket The 2026 World Baseball Classic Team Japan schedule kicks off with pool play. Pool C – Tokyo Dome Schedule (All Times JST; Tokyo Dome) Japan plays four round-robin games. Evening games start at 7:00 PM JST (~5:00 AM ET early March; adjust for U.S. time zones). Day games at 12:00 PM JST. Japan’s Pool Schedule: Friday, March 6, 2026 – 7:00 PM JST – Japan vs. Chinese Taipei (FOX / FOX Deportes) Tournament opener-Samurai Japan expected to set the tone with a strong performance. Saturday, March 7, 2026 – 7:00 PM JST – Japan vs. South Korea (FS1 / FOX Deportes) Intense Asia rivalry-Korea always brings fire; key for top seed. Sunday, March 8, 2026 – 7:00 PM JST – Japan vs. Australia (FOX / FOX Deportes) Australia’s scrappy style could test pitching; Japan should dominate. Tuesday, March 10, 2026 – 7:00 PM JST – Japan vs. Czechia (FS1 / FOX Deportes) Czechia’s underdog energy-perfect chance for Japan to lock in the pool win. Edited February 17 by caulfield12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted February 17 Author Share Posted February 17 https://www.espn.com/espn/betting/story/_/id/47900058/world-baseball-classic-odds USA then Japan and DR the three favorites Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chitownsportsfan Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 13 hours ago, caulfield12 said: https://www.espn.com/espn/betting/story/_/id/47900058/world-baseball-classic-odds USA then Japan and DR the three favorites Rooting for Taiwan, US, Mexico and PR in that order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted February 18 Author Share Posted February 18 (edited) 5 hours ago, chitownsportsfan said: Rooting for Taiwan, US, Mexico and PR in that order. Have soft spot for PR after trip there... still not sure if Lindor will be cleared to play. "In a remarkable twist, superstar performer Bad Bunny reportedly offered to cover Lindor’s WBC insurance to facilitate his participation. Lindor confirmed that the same offer extended to fellow Puerto Rican star Carlos Correa of the Houston Astros. While the gesture highlighted both artists’ and athletes’ pride in representing Puerto Rico, neither player was able to accept the proposal." Looks like Vladdy Jr. was talking trash on social media about this development...vis a vis DR team chances to win. Taiwan seems to lose its "intl. competitive advantage" somewhere around middle or high school age. Edited February 18 by caulfield12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted February 19 Author Share Posted February 19 (edited) Japan - Kensuke Kondoh He may not have worldwide fame and a World Series ring like Shohei Ohtani or Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and he hasn't signed a new big league contract like Munetaka Murakami or Kazuma Okamoto, but Kondoh proved vital in Japan's 2023 tournament. He nearly matched Ohtani in everything except power that year, finishing with nine hits -- tied for second-best on the team -- eight walks (also second) and four doubles (tied for Ohtani with most on the team). Undersized by MLB standards at 5-foot-8 and 190 lbs, Kondoh has a career .307/.417/.456 slash line in the NPB. He gives solid at-bats no matter the situation and helps lengthen Japan's impressive lineup. mlb.com Korea - Hyun-Min Ahn While MLBers Jung Hoo Lee, Hyeseong Kim, and former big leaguer and two-time Cy Young Award finalist Hyun Jin Ryu may be the biggest names on Korea's roster, Ahn is likely the biggest member of the team. By that, I'm referring to his impressive physique, which has earned him comparisons to Mike Trout and the nickname "Muscle Man." Just 22 years old, Ahn has locked down the right field spot after slashing .334/.448/.570 with 22 home runs in just 482 plate appearances last season in KBO play. Edited February 19 by caulfield12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted February 20 Author Share Posted February 20 (edited) https://www.mlb.com/news/ranking-2026-world-baseball-classic-teams 15) Leitch: Cuba "Obviously, a lot of things have changed with Cuba, on and off the field, since they first showed up in the WBC in 2006 as a team of mystery and intrigue, ultimately making it all the way to the championship game. For a variety of reasons, there is only one active MLB player on this edition of Team Cuba (Yoán Moncada), though it will be fun to see a 44-year-old Alexei Ramirez on the team, nearly a decade after his last MLB game. Every single time he comes to the plate, I’m going to Hawk Harrelson’s Mark Buehrle perfect game call in my head: “Alexei???!!!!!” "While Czechia is a team of firefighters, electrical workers and field caretakers, manager Pavel Chadim (himself a neurologist in Brno) recently said that about half the team would be in pro baseball had they been born in the U.S. or Japan. Their performance on the field has proven that. I would have picked them a little higher if not for being placed in one of the most difficult pools, but don’t be surprised if this team overperforms again. Czechia has proven that it’s a baseball nation. (And hey, if you want to read more about this team, well gee whiz, I have a book coming out about them on April 1. You should buy it and read it! Available here and wherever fine books are sold.)" Seiya Suzuki of the Chicago Cubs said Shohei Ohtani should ... - Reddit www.reddit.com › baseball › comments 3 days ago · Seiya Suzuki of the Chicago Cubs said Shohei Ohtani should host the WBC Japan team dinner because “he's making $700 million, so I'll just follow..." Edited February 20 by caulfield12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pettie4sox Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 I am glad this WBC is going to be more serious. They have been gradually allowing this tournament to go all out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted February 21 Author Share Posted February 21 https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/world-baseball-classic-2026-5-big-questions-about-team-usas-roster-212358741.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted February 21 Author Share Posted February 21 (edited) 4 hours ago, pettie4sox said: I am glad this WBC is going to be more serious. They have been gradually allowing this tournament to go all out. US starting pitching is no joke now... Cuba at 15th out of 20 tells one a lot, as well as the mlb tested depth of teams like Italy and Netherlands. Czech Republic the clear "feel good" story. Japan pitching will be tested without Sasaki and Imai. Plus Matsumoto had that incredible post season workload. Edited February 21 by caulfield12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted February 23 Author Share Posted February 23 Brazil Lucas Ramirez, 20, is one of the five affiliated players as an outfielder in the Angels organization, and he’s the son of 12-time All-Star Manny Ramirez. Infielder Dante Bichette Jr. is the son of four-time All-Star Dante and older brother of new Met Bo. And perhaps most fascinating of all, 17-year-old Joseph Contreras is the son of 11-year major-league pitcher and 2005 World Series champion Jose Contreras. Joseph is the youngest player in the tournament and also a top prospect in this summer’s draft, a talented right-handed pitcher at a Georgia high school who is committed to Vanderbilt. A strong outing against one of the star-studded lineups in Pool B would be a unique and exciting way to boost his draft stock — and perhaps help Team Brazil make history on the international stage. — Shusterman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted February 23 Author Share Posted February 23 https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/10/27/baseball/japanese-baseball/ukyo-shuto-japan-series/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwibnMX28O6SAxWiPkQIHXdVEvEQFnoECAoQAg&usg=AOvVaw2yYBlMQ-WqYtNz28RcoMOx This is the fourth OF the Sox need to add for PR/GG defense. Turning 30. Atm, fearing K.Kondoh is getting too old to come over to debut in MLB in his early 30s. Certainly to play CF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted February 23 Author Share Posted February 23 (edited) https://www.starnewskorea.com/en/sports/2026/02/23/2026022318503749375#_enliple Team Samurai shut out 4-0 by Fukuoka, with only two hits recorded. Playing without their MLB players until later this week against the Chuinichi Dragons. Miguel Sano sighting today in an exhibition game Also Kenta Maeda signed with Rakuten after ten big league seasons. Yesterday was a 13-3 bloodbath with sixteen hits recorded by Team Japan. Fun AI translation lol. Edited February 23 by caulfield12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted February 24 Author Share Posted February 24 (edited) Samurai Japan will travel to Nagoya (home of Ichiro Suzuki) next for a two-game exhibition series against the Chunichi Dragons on Friday February 27 and Saturday the 28th before heading to Osaka for their final tune-ups against the Orix Buffaloes (Kyocera Dome) and Hanshin Tigers on Monday March 2 and Tuesday the 3rd. With Yusei Kikuchi and Tomoyuki Sugano already in camp and others (Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Munetaka Murakami, Kazuma Okamoto, Seiya Suzuki) following soon, Japan’s MLB contingent is expected to begin appearing in exhibition games as early as this week. However, San Diego Padres lefty Yuki Matsui sustained a left groin injury this week, making his WBC status questionable. The team will then open Pool C play at the Tokyo Dome in the World Baseball Classic, facing Chinese Taipei, Australia, Korea, and Czechia from March 6-10. Should they advance, they will travel to Miami for the quarterfinal round. Edited February 24 by caulfield12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Autumn Dreamin Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 This is dumb, what's the point of spending a Skubal start on a weaker team in pool play? Might as well use the roster spot on someone else. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted February 25 Author Share Posted February 25 11 hours ago, Autumn Dreamin said: This is dumb, what's the point of spending a Skubal start on a weaker team in pool play? Might as well use the roster spot on someone else. Words Yamamoto would never say for $500, Alex. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chitownsportsfan Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 There's like 100k people watching a SK national team against Samsung Giants game on various streams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted February 27 Author Share Posted February 27 On 2/26/2026 at 12:32 PM, chitownsportsfan said: There's like 100k people watching a SK national team against Samsung Giants game on various streams. Crazy. https://www.japan-baseball.jp/en/team/topteam/2026/wbc/player.html Yoshida, Imanaga and Senga off roster for now (Sugano over them is weird) Yu Darvish in as an advisor. LHP Matsui/Padres out with injury How does the Korean RF oft compared to Trout and Tyler O’Neill look? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted February 27 Author Share Posted February 27 (edited) Homered tonight against Chunichi. Guy you don’t know yet but should: Hyun-min Ahn had a huge breakout season for the KT Wiz in the KBO last year, hitting .334/.448/.570 with more walks (75) than strikeouts (72). The 22-year-old outfielder is the kind of ascendent talent capable of stealing some attention from the more well-known commodities on the roster who have benefited from exposure at the major-league level Edited February 27 by caulfield12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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