Mexico’s unprecedented run in the 2023 World Baseball Classic fell just short of the miracle story they were aiming for, but their performance was still a victory for Mexican baseball. On Monday night, Japan scored two runs in an epic bottom of the 9th inning to beat Mexico, 6-5, stamping Japan’s ticket to the World Baseball Classic championship game.
They were not even supposed to get this far. Mexico’s pitching was lauded as possibly some of the best in the tournament, but their lineup was not picked as one of their strongest skills.
Other Latin American teams like Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic with juggernaut talent were picked to go further in the World Baseball Classic. But none of this mattered to Mexico, as they defeated the American team in their second game, and upset a Puerto Rican team with a superior roster, all while playing a brand of baseball that refused to quit. Not a single fan of Team Mexico could say they did not exceed expectations.
Mexico’s starter on Monday night, Patrick Sandoval, spoke to The Athletic about his excitement to come back and compete for Team Mexico during the next World Baseball Classic.
“That clubhouse is something special for sure. We just talked about the next time this comes around, Honestly, we’re ready (now) for the next go around.”
With fútbol still being the king in Mexico, Team Mexico’s performance at the World Baseball Classic has to have meant so much to Mexicans and fans of the team. Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Luis Urías understood just how much their inspiring performance could mean to the people back home according to The Athletic.
“As a Mexican player, they don’t talk too much about baseball in Mexico. And, you know, being this close to being in the final and the way that my teammates competed, I’m really surprised and at the same time I’m really, really proud. I think we inspired a lot of our kids back home and hopefully, they get the chance to play this game.”
Ultimately, Mexico’s inspiring and fun performance invigorated fans of Mexican baseball. And when the next World Baseball Classic takes place in 2026, it’s safe to say that nobody will underestimate Team Mexico again.