[FuzzyRussianHat]

The 1964 World Baseball Championship was the 18^th edition of the event and took place in Santiago, Chile. The United States continued its streak of always advancing from its division, taking D1 at 7-0, two better than Spain. In Division 2, Poland prevailed at 6-1, one ahead of South Korea. This moved the Poles to the Round Robin for the third time and first since taking tournament runner-up in 1959. The Philippines became a first time elite eight qualifier by winning Division 3 at 6-1, besting last year’s runner up Canada, Haiti, and Venezuela by a game each. Japan won its second division in three years by taking Division 4 at 6-1, one ahead of Peru.

Division 5 went to defending world champ Mexico at 6-1, edging Argentina and the Dominican Republic by a game. Brazil survived a tough Division 6 at 6-1, outlasting both 5-2 Germany and England. Mexico and Brazil both advance for the seventh time, tying them for third most behind only the US and Canada. In Division 7, Uzbekistan made sure people didn’t think last year was a fluke, advancing again. They were 7-0, while Australia, Chile, and Russia were 5-2. In Division 8, Colombia and Belarus tied at 5-2, both a game better than France, Guatemala, and Jamaica. The Colombians got the tiebreaker to earn their fourth elite eight berth and first since 1960.

Last year, the Americans missed the final four, the first time in tournament history. The US didn’t let that happen in 1964, taking Round Robin Group A at 5-1. Brazil at 4-2 moved forward as well, while defending champ Mexico (2-1) and Colombia (1-5) were eliminated. Group B had Japan and Poland both prevail at 4-2, while Uzbekistan at 3-3 and the Philippines at 1-5 were ousted. This sent the US to their 17^th semifinal, Brazil’s fourth, Japan’s fourth, and Poland’s second.

The Americans rolled to a 4-1 series in over Japan in their semi, pushing the US to the final for the 14^th time. Poland edged Brazil in a seven-game classic to give the Poles their second finals appearance. The Brazilians officially took bronze with Japan fourth; giving Brazil four finishes of third. In the 1964 World Championship, the USA returned to its thrown, taking the series in five. That gives the Americans 11 world titles.





Winning Tournament MVP was American catcher Galt Datsko. A 22-year old up-and-comer with Jacksonville, Datsko’s tournament debut saw 35 hits, 22 runs, 4 doubles, 7 home runs, 16 RBI, and 2.0 WAR. Best Pitcher was given to Russia’s Mikhail Marakhovsky. A 28-year old closer for St. Petersburg, he was a starter in the tournament and tossed 15 shutout innings, striking out 34.

Other notes: As a way to keep track of historical tournament success, a standings was created. You received 10 points for a world title, seven for a runner-up, five for third, four for fourth, and two for making it to the elite eight. Here are the standings thus far. Unsurprisingly, the USA and Canada are well at the top with their early success. Mexico is a strong third place, followed by Japan and Brazil.