Why The World Baseball Classic Is Absolutely A Big Deal To Players And Fans | Tim and Friends

Tim Micallef discusses why the World Baseball Classic has mattered to players and fans around the world as the tournament nears its conclusion, despite receiving some skepticism from around North American baseball circles.

[rayshular]

You can't call yourself a baseball fan if you don't love the WBC there has been some of the best baseball I've ever watched in this tournament!

[adamgt]

Completely Agree! This Tournament is only good for Baseball, as a USA fan i don't really care if we win it, but I LOVE watching other countries celebrate Baseball! You're not a Real Baseball fan if you can't see that...

[AveyTheTrainer]

I’ve never watched an MLB game in my life, the WBC has Introduced me to so many players with different backgrounds and I’m more excited than ever to start watching the MLB and cheer for them.

[SuperJNG]

This tournament is a fantastic showcase for great teams and players from everywhere. I defy any baseball fan to look up the story of the Czech baseball squad, pretty much all of whom are regular working guys when they're not playing, and not be moved to see how passionate they are. Baseball deserves to be considered an international sport on the level of football (the other kind) and hockey.

[pavarottiaardvark]

As a British person, I can confirm that the WBC generated more media coverage here than the MLB does.

[gj]

You should see the Czech Republic. None of them are pros and they are all literally amateurs with day jobs - firefighters, doctors, office workers. But for 3 innings they were beating mighty team Japan 1-0, and pitcher struck out Shohei. They have an inspiring story and they became well known in Japan.

[gj]

I’m way more into the WBC than the regular season MLB. WBC is basically like a more fun and relevant all star game. US, japan, DR, Puerto Rico can field absolutely stacked teams. Counties like Mexico and Venezuela are good too, and even countries like Italy and Netherlands have surprisingly amount of good pros on their team.

[BryanChance]

Wow, this is more intense than the world series. Thank you to all the teams and congratulations team Japan!!

[TypeRyRy]

I'm a big MLB fan, but this is my first WBC tournament that I've ever watched. OMG, it's been amazing! I'm thinking it might be worth it to get tickets to see the '26 WBC. I'm fired up!

[JoeGX]

Players played for their country and convictions and not for money. This is the purest form of sport.

[jessehall]

Big MLB fan, but watching 2 countries that I have no ties to play each other in the WBC is much more entertaining than watching 2 MLB teams that I have no ties to play each other in the World Series.

[romelovesdan]

AMEN. Thank you for stating what needs to be said and embraced. Yes, I am a "Baseball Traditionalist" who loves the WBC since attending games in the original 2006 incarnation.

[zakataMan]

Every WBC reminds me that other countries love and respect OUR sport more than we do.

[BobSaysWhat]

One of Great thing about WBC is that we can see relief pitchers who are usually an ace starting pitcher at their clubs.
In Finals, Darvish at 8th inning and Ohtani closing the game at final. That’s absolute best of best closers.

[rantsofedub]

America is unique in that it's basically the only country that argues against playing for your country. No other country really does this for ANY sport.

[SangreLatina]

For Caribbean people and Latin countries the WBC is a really good tournament. We love it, we enjoy it. ❤

[szlava]

Just listen to the tape of the Japanese broadcasters when Japan walked it off against Mexico yesterday. That wasn't a "meaningless" to them

[tomshen]

WBC is the real and actual "World Series"

[Jorge-csyv]

I'm not into baseball but if my country Mexico is playing I'm going to watch the game.

[KWally]

I feel like the World Baseball Classic is finally maturing into a tournament that means something to players and the fans.