No player in baseball history has shown a two-way ability at the level of Shohei Ohtani, and now the Team Japan and Los Angeles Angels star can add one more item to an already unprecedented résumé: World Baseball Classic closer.

Ohtani put the finishing touches on Japan's undefeated run at the 2023 WBC on Tuesday, protecting a one-run lead in the ninth inning of a 3-2 win in Miami and giving his country an unmatched third title in the event's history.

Ohtani started the game as Japan's designated hitter, going 1-for-3 with a run and a walk at the plate. Even before he took the field, there was speculation about if he would see the mound after the Angels gave their public blessing for the former MVP to pitch. Ohtani moved between the dugout and bullpen several times in the later innings before finally emerging in the ninth for what will likely go down as one of the most watched moments in baseball history.

The inning started with a full-count walk of Jeff McNeil, but that was followed by a double-play off the bat of Mookie Betts. It all came down to a matchup so serendipitous it felt scripted: Ohtani vs. his Angels teammate Mike Trout, the most talented player of a generation against the most talented player of the previous generation.

Strikeout, ballgame, championship.

Ohtani's teammates immediately mobbed him after the third out, and Japan had its first WBC title since it went back-to-back in the first two tournaments in 2006 and 2009.

World Baseball Classic MVP: Shohei Ohtani (obviously)
Ohtani's final stats in Japan's seven wins: .435/.606/.739 with four doubles and a home run at the plate and a 1.86 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 9.2 innings on the mound, plus a save.

No player hit a ball harder or threw a pitch harder than him in the entire tournament.

That performance earned Ohtani the World Baseball Classic MVP award, as well as two spots on the All-WBC team as a designated hitter and pitcher. Joining him was teammate Masataka Yoshida in the outfield, while Trout and shortstop Trea Turner represented Team USA.

Japan's championship obviously came about through more than one player, though, as seen in the earlier innings, when Japan's lineup took the lead while its pitching staff shut down the vaunted Team USA lineup.

The game began with each team's recent hero continuing his success at the plate. Turner, who hit the game-winning grand slam against Venezuela and homered twice in the blowout of Cuba, homered in the second inning to give the U.S. an initial 1-0 lead.

https://sports.yahoo.com/world-baseba...

Subscribe and ring the bell for the latest talk about the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Guardians, Cleveland Cavaliers and Ohio State Buckeyes: https://bit.ly/ucss_subscribe

Follow on Twitter:   / ultclesports  

Watch live on YouTube 11 a.m.-1 p.m. weekdays on YouTube and WKYC+ on your Roku and Fire TV apps!

The Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show is your daily source of the best conversation about the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Guardians, Cleveland Cavaliers and Ohio State Buckeyes, as well as sports throughout Northeast Ohio. Hosted by Jay Crawford, Adam the Bull, G Bush, Jason Lloyd, Brad Sellers and Tyvis Powell.