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FuzzyRussianHat · 07-23-2023, 06:59 PM

The 1968 World Baseball Championship was the 22^nd edition of the event and the second to be held in Europe, this time hosted in Athens, Greece. After missing the elite eight for the first time last season, the United States was back to its usual perch atop Division 1. The Americans went 7-0, holding off a 6-1 Peru squad. Division 2 had a three-way tie for first at 5-2 between North Korea, Poland, and the Netherlands with both Greece and Kazakhstan at 4-3. The Dutch advanced on the tiebreaker, giving them their second-ever division title. Division 3 went to Italy at 6-1, one ahead of both Germany and Scotland. It was the fourth time advancing to the elite eight for the Italians. Defending world champ Canada finished 4-3 in D3, ending their repeat hope and leaving them out for only the seventh time in 22 tournaments. Japan rolled to Division 4’s crown at 7-0, moving the Japanese forward for the eighth time.

Mexico and Australia tied atop Division 5 at 6-1 and the Mexicans advanced with the head-to-head, sending last year’s runner-up to their ninth elite eight appearance. Brazil claimed Division 6 at 6-1, edging England by a game. The Brazilians have moved forward nine times now. A tight Division 7 saw Puerto Rico on top at 5-2, one better than five other teams (Belarus, Belgium, Colombia, Ecuador, and Russia). For PR, it is their second time advancing. And in Division 8, Guatemala became a first time division champ going 5-2, ending one ahead of Indonesia, Panama, Switzerland, and Taiwan.

In Round Robin Group A, the United States was first at 4-2, earning a 20^th semifinal berth. Both Italy and Mexico were 3-3 and the Netherlands was 2-4. The tiebreaker sent the Italians to the semifinal for the third time in history. In Group A, Puerto Rico and Guatemala earned their first-ever semifinal berths. PR was first at 4-2 and the Guatemalans were 3-3 with the tiebreaker on Brazil, while Japan was 2-4. Having lasted one more game in the semifinal, Guatemala was awarded third and Italy fourth. It was the third time Italy had finished fourth, their deepest mark to date.

The Americans won their semifinal in six games over Guatemala, moving the US to the championship for the 17^th time. Puerto Rico meanwhile downed Italy in five, giving PR its first championship appearance. The USA rolled to a 4-1 World Championship win over Puerto Rico, putting the Americans back to their usual spot on top for the 14^th time.

Leading Puerto Rico’s efforts was tournament MVP Santiago Duarte. A 30-year old outfielder for Houston, he posted 29 hits, 17 runs, 9 home runs, 18 RBI, and 16 walks in 23 tournament games for 1.7 WAR. Best Pitcher was awarded to Italy’s Hugo Coria. A 34-year old journeyman reliever, he tossed 8.2 scoreless innings with five saves and 15 strikeouts.

Other notes: Venezuela’s Simon Arenas set a still-standing tournament record for batting average at .619, getting 13 hits in 21 at bats. England’s Jacob Bidwell hit four home runs in a game against Paraguay, becoming the fourth batter in WBC history with a four dinger day.

Below are the updated all-time stats for the tournament.

07-23-2023, 06:59 PM	#440
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 3,108	1968 World Baseball Championship The 1968 World Baseball Championship was the 22^nd edition of the event and the second to be held in Europe, this time hosted in Athens, Greece. After missing the elite eight for the first time last season, the United States was back to its usual perch atop Division 1. The Americans went 7-0, holding off a 6-1 Peru squad. Division 2 had a three-way tie for first at 5-2 between North Korea, Poland, and the Netherlands with both Greece and Kazakhstan at 4-3. The Dutch advanced on the tiebreaker, giving them their second-ever division title. Division 3 went to Italy at 6-1, one ahead of both Germany and Scotland. It was the fourth time advancing to the elite eight for the Italians. Defending world champ Canada finished 4-3 in D3, ending their repeat hope and leaving them out for only the seventh time in 22 tournaments. Japan rolled to Division 4’s crown at 7-0, moving the Japanese forward for the eighth time. Mexico and Australia tied atop Division 5 at 6-1 and the Mexicans advanced with the head-to-head, sending last year’s runner-up to their ninth elite eight appearance. Brazil claimed Division 6 at 6-1, edging England by a game. The Brazilians have moved forward nine times now. A tight Division 7 saw Puerto Rico on top at 5-2, one better than five other teams (Belarus, Belgium, Colombia, Ecuador, and Russia). For PR, it is their second time advancing. And in Division 8, Guatemala became a first time division champ going 5-2, ending one ahead of Indonesia, Panama, Switzerland, and Taiwan. In Round Robin Group A, the United States was first at 4-2, earning a 20^th semifinal berth. Both Italy and Mexico were 3-3 and the Netherlands was 2-4. The tiebreaker sent the Italians to the semifinal for the third time in history. In Group A, Puerto Rico and Guatemala earned their first-ever semifinal berths. PR was first at 4-2 and the Guatemalans were 3-3 with the tiebreaker on Brazil, while Japan was 2-4. Having lasted one more game in the semifinal, Guatemala was awarded third and Italy fourth. It was the third time Italy had finished fourth, their deepest mark to date. The Americans won their semifinal in six games over Guatemala, moving the US to the championship for the 17^th time. Puerto Rico meanwhile downed Italy in five, giving PR its first championship appearance. The USA rolled to a 4-1 World Championship win over Puerto Rico, putting the Americans back to their usual spot on top for the 14^th time. Leading Puerto Rico’s efforts was tournament MVP Santiago Duarte. A 30-year old outfielder for Houston, he posted 29 hits, 17 runs, 9 home runs, 18 RBI, and 16 walks in 23 tournament games for 1.7 WAR. Best Pitcher was awarded to Italy’s Hugo Coria. A 34-year old journeyman reliever, he tossed 8.2 scoreless innings with five saves and 15 strikeouts. Other notes: Venezuela’s Simon Arenas set a still-standing tournament record for batting average at .619, getting 13 hits in 21 at bats. England’s Jacob Bidwell hit four home runs in a game against Paraguay, becoming the fourth batter in WBC history with a four dinger day. Below are the updated all-time stats for the tournament. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports The Level Playing Field: Alternate MLB History From 1884-Onward Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)