The first pitch of the game tells you everything you need to know about the beauty of the World Baseball Classic.
Tarik Skubal, the reigning Cy Young Award winner, toes the rubber for Team USA. Across from him stands Great Britain, a team of journeymen and minor leaguers that nobody gave a chance. First pitch?
GONE. Nate Eaton takes Skubal deep, and suddenly the WBC has its David vs. Goliath moment.
Team USA ultimately won 9-1, but let me tell you - this game was everything international baseball should be. Great Britain showed up ready to compete, and for a few glorious moments, they had the mighty Americans on their heels.
Kyle Schwarber delivered the big blow for USA, absolutely crushing one to give his team the lead. When Schwarber connects, you don't need instant replay - that ball was launched into orbit. But the story here isn't just about the USA win.
Great Britain had a pitcher who struck out Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, and Gunnar Henderson in order. Read that again. Three of the MLB's biggest stars, sitting down one-two-three. Trayce Thompson robbed a home run with a spectacular catch. Eaton went deep off a Cy Young winner.
There are 90,000 people back in Britain who watched that game and believed. Kids who are going to pick up a baseball for the first time. Players who proved they can compete at the highest level.
