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FuzzyRussianHat · 12-05-2024, 11:47 AM

The 2020 World Baseball Championship was the 74^th edition of the event and was hosted in Kano, Nigeria. Taking the title in Division 1 at 8-1 was Romania, beating out defending world champ England, Guatemala, and Bulgaria each at 6-3. The Romanians advanced for the fifth time and the second time in three years. After rare back-to-back misses for the United States, the Americans were the lone unbeaten at 9-0 in Division 2. The USA moved to the elite eight for the 58^th time.

Spain won a very competitive Division 3 at 7-2, fending off 6-3 efforts by Belgium, China, and France. It was Spain’s ninth division title and first since their third place in 2015. Germany prevailed at 7-2 in Division 4 while four nations were two back at 5-4. The Germans advanced for the 11^th time, but this ended a drought dating back to their 2006 runner-up finish.

Division 5 had Ukraine (7-2) hold off 6-3 tries by Cuba, Indonesia, and Scotland. The Ukrainians advanced for the 12^th time overall and the third time in five years. Mexico dominated D6 at 8-1, three games better than their nearest foe. The Mexicans were the only team to make it back from the 2019 elite eight and earned their third straight division title. Mexico advanced for the 32^nd tie, which ranks fourth behind only the US, Canada, and Brazil.

The only division with a tie at the top was D7 with both Thailand and Turkey at 7-2. Brazil and South Korea were close behind at 6-3. The Thais took the tiebreaker over the Turks for only their second-ever division title (2011). Lastly, Division 8 went to Pakistan at 7-2. Last year’s runner-up Uzbekistan and Venezuela were both 6-3. The Pakistanis won their sixth division title and first since 2010.

In Round Robin Group A, the United States dominated at 6-0 to earn a 51^st semifinal trip. Germany also advanced at 3-3, while Spain (2-4) and Ukraine (1-5) were ousted. In Group B, Mexico ran the table for their third semifinal in six years and their 19^th overall. Thailand took the #2 spot at 3-3 with Pakistan 2-4 and Romania at 1-5. The Thais became the 48^th unique nation to get to the final four.

Thailand would be the only team to beat the United States in 2020, but the Americans survived 3-2 in the semifinal. On the other side, Germany swept Mexico to give the Germans their fourth finals try. They won in 1983 and lost in both 1991 and 2006. Thailand officially took third and Mexico was fourth.

In the 74^th World Championship, the United States returned to the perch once again by sweeping Germany. The Americans won their third title in seven years and moved to 41-6 all-time in the championship. The USA was 22-2 for the entire event in one of the most dominant showings yet. Little did anyone know that this would be the final American title for more than a decade, as the 2020s would see unprecedented parity at the top spot.

It was fitting that Morgan Short won Tournament MVP for the second time, joining his 2009 trophy. MLB’s all-time WAR leader also became the WBC’s all-time WAR leader, passing OF Connor Neumeyer’s 20.86 and P Nick Hedrick’s 20.28. Short finished the 2020 edition with 21.6 WAR, leading all players with 2.0 over 24 games. The 39-year old CF also led in hits (37) runs (25), total bases (66), and stolen bases (24) while adding 8 homers, 17 RBI and 13 walks. As of 2037, Short is still the WBC leader in hits, runs, singles, doubles, steals, and WAR.

The Americans also had the Best Pitcher in Vic McCallister, who is set to enter his third season as the closer for Memphis. The 22-year old from Shreveport, Louisiana had seven saves over 11 games, allowing one run over 22.1 innings with 50 strikeouts, 6 hits, and 3 walks.

Other notes: Mexico’s Vicente Vasquez became the 17^th player to hit for the cycle in the WBC, doing it against Thailand in the Round Robin. China’s Yuandong Wang had a no-hitter with 11 strikeouts and 4 walks against Malaysia and Romania’s Simon Lica had a 9 K no-no versus Finland.

The updated tournament stats are below. With their fourth place finish, Mexico passed China to reclaim third in the all-time tournament standings.

12-05-2024, 11:47 AM	#1857
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 2,952	2020 World Baseball Championship The 2020 World Baseball Championship was the 74^th edition of the event and was hosted in Kano, Nigeria. Taking the title in Division 1 at 8-1 was Romania, beating out defending world champ England, Guatemala, and Bulgaria each at 6-3. The Romanians advanced for the fifth time and the second time in three years. After rare back-to-back misses for the United States, the Americans were the lone unbeaten at 9-0 in Division 2. The USA moved to the elite eight for the 58^th time. Spain won a very competitive Division 3 at 7-2, fending off 6-3 efforts by Belgium, China, and France. It was Spain’s ninth division title and first since their third place in 2015. Germany prevailed at 7-2 in Division 4 while four nations were two back at 5-4. The Germans advanced for the 11^th time, but this ended a drought dating back to their 2006 runner-up finish. Division 5 had Ukraine (7-2) hold off 6-3 tries by Cuba, Indonesia, and Scotland. The Ukrainians advanced for the 12^th time overall and the third time in five years. Mexico dominated D6 at 8-1, three games better than their nearest foe. The Mexicans were the only team to make it back from the 2019 elite eight and earned their third straight division title. Mexico advanced for the 32^nd tie, which ranks fourth behind only the US, Canada, and Brazil. The only division with a tie at the top was D7 with both Thailand and Turkey at 7-2. Brazil and South Korea were close behind at 6-3. The Thais took the tiebreaker over the Turks for only their second-ever division title (2011). Lastly, Division 8 went to Pakistan at 7-2. Last year’s runner-up Uzbekistan and Venezuela were both 6-3. The Pakistanis won their sixth division title and first since 2010. In Round Robin Group A, the United States dominated at 6-0 to earn a 51^st semifinal trip. Germany also advanced at 3-3, while Spain (2-4) and Ukraine (1-5) were ousted. In Group B, Mexico ran the table for their third semifinal in six years and their 19^th overall. Thailand took the #2 spot at 3-3 with Pakistan 2-4 and Romania at 1-5. The Thais became the 48^th unique nation to get to the final four. Thailand would be the only team to beat the United States in 2020, but the Americans survived 3-2 in the semifinal. On the other side, Germany swept Mexico to give the Germans their fourth finals try. They won in 1983 and lost in both 1991 and 2006. Thailand officially took third and Mexico was fourth. In the 74^th World Championship, the United States returned to the perch once again by sweeping Germany. The Americans won their third title in seven years and moved to 41-6 all-time in the championship. The USA was 22-2 for the entire event in one of the most dominant showings yet. Little did anyone know that this would be the final American title for more than a decade, as the 2020s would see unprecedented parity at the top spot. It was fitting that Morgan Short won Tournament MVP for the second time, joining his 2009 trophy. MLB’s all-time WAR leader also became the WBC’s all-time WAR leader, passing OF Connor Neumeyer’s 20.86 and P Nick Hedrick’s 20.28. Short finished the 2020 edition with 21.6 WAR, leading all players with 2.0 over 24 games. The 39-year old CF also led in hits (37) runs (25), total bases (66), and stolen bases (24) while adding 8 homers, 17 RBI and 13 walks. As of 2037, Short is still the WBC leader in hits, runs, singles, doubles, steals, and WAR. The Americans also had the Best Pitcher in Vic McCallister, who is set to enter his third season as the closer for Memphis. The 22-year old from Shreveport, Louisiana had seven saves over 11 games, allowing one run over 22.1 innings with 50 strikeouts, 6 hits, and 3 walks. Other notes: Mexico’s Vicente Vasquez became the 17^th player to hit for the cycle in the WBC, doing it against Thailand in the Round Robin. China’s Yuandong Wang had a no-hitter with 11 strikeouts and 4 walks against Malaysia and Romania’s Simon Lica had a 9 K no-no versus Finland. The updated tournament stats are below. With their fourth place finish, Mexico passed China to reclaim third in the all-time tournament standings. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)