[FuzzyRussianHat]

The 39^th World Baseball Championship was centered around Osaka, Japan. In Division 1, Guatemala took first at 7-2, topping Belgium and Norway by one apiece. It is the second-ever division title for the Guatemalans, who placed third back in 1968. In D2, the defending world champ United States had the top honor at 8-1, two games ahead of Argentina, Ecuador, and Taiwan. The Americans have made it to the elite eight 35 times in 39 events. Division 3 had France and China tied for first at 7-2 with Nigeria at 6-3. The tiebreaker went to the French to give them their fifth division title and their first since 1976. In D4, Turkey became the 57^th different nation to win a division title. The Turks were 7-2, edging out Australia, Belarus, and Germany at 6-3.

Division 5 have Uzbekistan on top at 8-1, beating Romania by one and the Philippines by two. It is the third division title for the Uzbeks, who last did it in 1964. D6 had Mexico and Russia tied at 7-2 with the tiebreaker going to the Mexicans. They’ve now advanced 18 times, the fourth most of any nations. Division 7 had Indonesia dominant at 8-1 for their sixth division title and first since 1982. Last year’s runner-up Brazil tied for third at 5-4. And in Division 8, Canada survived at 6-3 with five nations one game behind (Costa Rica, Cuba, India, Iran, Paraguay). It snaps a seven-year drought for the Canadians, who earned their 24^th elite eight appearance.

Of note, the United States was the only team in the elite eight in 1985 that had also made it the prior year. The Americans went unbeaten at 6-0 in Round Robin Group A to advance to the semifinal yet again. Turkey at 3-3 earned their first-ever semifinal berth, while Canada was 2-4 and Guatemala was 1-5. In Group B, Indonesia was first at 5-1 to move to the semifinal for the fifth time. France was 3-3 with Mexico and Uzbekistan at 2-4. The French earned their third semifinal appearance.



In the semifinal, the United States swept France 3-0 and Turkey knocked out Indonesia 3-1. The Indonesians were officially third place for the third time, while the French were fourth. The Americans were in the championship for the unprecedented 25^th time, while it was Turkey’s first-ever final. The Turks gave a valiant effort, but the US won the series 4-2 for the 25^th American title and their fourth in five years.



Leading Turkey’s effort was Tournament MVP Muhammad Ozcelik. The 26-year old left fielder had left for MLB as a teenager and was in his fifth season with Phoenix. In the WBC, Ozcelik had 30 hits, 18 runs, 5 doubles, 6 home runs, 14 RBI, and 16 walks in 25 starts. The Best Pitcher went to Venezuelan Luis Vasquez Jr., who had just left for Baltimore after a Hall of Fame career with Valencia. The 35-year old righty pitched 10.2 scoreless innings with three hits and two walks allowed and 12 strikeouts.

Other notes: There were two no-hitters thrown in 1985. Canada’s Christopher Fournier did it against Cuba and American Ethan Brazille did it against Turkey. Both struck out 15 and walked one.