U.S. Wins Its First World Baseball Classic Before 50,000-Plus Fans

The U.S. won the World Baseball Classic for the first time last night by routing Puerto Rico 8-0 before 51,568 "zealous fans" at Dodger Stadium, and it did so "playing its own style of baseball, and expressing itself in its own fashion." U.S. and Rangers C Jonathan Lucroy said, "It was amazing. ... I can't see anyone turning this down again, not after seeing what we did. I think we've changed how everyone will look at the WBC" (USA TODAY, 3/23). Fans "wore flags of both countries as capes and decorated their faces in team colors." Puerto Rico supporters "pounded cowbells, tooted horns and blew whistles" (AP, 3/23). The evening was "incredibly suspenseful." USA Baseball Exec Dir Paul Seiler "would not touch the question of whether the team might visit the White House" (L.A. TIMES, 3/23).

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said that he "could not offer 'a really firm answer' as to whether another WBC will be played" in '21, a year after baseball returns to the Olympics at the '20 Tokyo Games (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 3/23).