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FuzzyRussianHat · 05-17-2024, 05:41 AM

The 57^th World Baseball Championship was the second to be hosted in the Philippines, this time centered around Davao. The lone team to go unbeaten in divisional play was a surprise as Egypt (9-0) rolled through Division 1. Only Uruguay (7-2) gave them any chase. This was the second division title for the Egyptians, joining their 1999 effort. The United States took Division 2 at 8-1, fending off Canada (7-2) and the Netherlands (6-3). The Americans have advanced 48 times in total.

A very competitive Division 3 had defending World Champion China survive at 7-2. El Salvador, Guatemala, and Iran were each at 6-3 with Honduras and the Philippines at 5-4. The Chinese have advanced 21 times now. Division 4 was also tight as Kazakhstan (7-2) edged out 6-3 efforts by Colombia and Peru. This was the fourth division title for the Kazakhs, although their last was all the way back in 1980. Japan, a semifinalist last year, was a non-factor at 4-5.

Division 5 had a tie for first between Brazil and the Dominican Republic at 7-2, while Argentina, Haiti, and India were each 5-4. The head-to-head tiebreaker gave the Brazilians the edge over the DR, sending Brazil forward for the 30^th time. Division 6 also had a tie with both South Korea and Australia at 7-2. The Koreans had the tiebreaker to advance for the 18^th time, ending a drought dating back to 1996. England was also in the mix at 6-3.

Division 7 was top heavy as Germany and Mexico tied for first at 8-1 while Nigeria was at 7-2. The Germans had the tiebreaker for their ninth division title and back-to-back berths. Germany, China, and the USA were the three division champs from 2002 to win again in 2003. Lastly in Division 8, Indonesia (7-2) prevailed by one game over Puerto Rico and two over Austria, France, Israel, and Spain. The Indonesians now have 17 division titles with their first since their 2000 runner-up effort.

In Double Round Robin Group A, Brazil battered the field at 5-1. China also advanced at 3-3, while Indonesia and Egypt were each ousted at 2-4. This was the 18^th semifinal for the Brazilians and first since 1999. The Chinese repeat bid remained intact with their 16^th final four appearance.

Group B saw South Korea first at 5-1, advancing along with the Americans at 4-2. Kazakhstan ended 2-4 and Germany was 1-5. The Koreans now have 11 semifinal berths, although they hadn’t gotten that far since 1983. The United States earned its 42^nd time in the final four and the fourth consecutive.

In the semifinals, the Americans topped Brazil 3-1 to earn a fourth straight finals appearance. It is the seventh in eight years and the 38^th overall for the United States. In a five-game classic, South Korea ousted the reigning champion China. This was SK’s seventh finals berth and first since 1973. The Chinese officially finished third place and the Brazilians were fourth.

In the 57^th World Championship, the United States returned to its throne with a 4-2 win over South Korea. The Americans have six titles in eight years and are now 33-5 all-time in the championship. The Koreans are now 1-6 in their finals berths with four of the losses against the US.

Both top awards went to Americans. WBC MVP was 1B Colin Jordan, a 26-year old entering his seventh season with Nashville. In 24 games, he had 38 hits, 25 runs, 10 doubles, 15 home runs, 39 RBI, a .437/.490/1.092 slash, 321 wRC+, and 3.0 WAR. The 39 RBI was one short of Connor Neumeyer’s record of 40 in 1972. His WAR total and hits were the fourth highest to that point by a position player. Best pitcher went to closer John Milligan, a 25-year old with Minnaeapolis. He tossed 12.1 scoreless innings with 25 strikeouts, three hits allowed, and three walks.

Other notes: The United States set a WBC record for triples (12) and had the second most stolen bases in WBC history (83). Romania’s Marian Iancu became the 10^th in WBC history to hit for the cycle, doing it against France. The lone no-hitter of 2003 came from Ghana’s Dylan Grant with 11 strikeouts and one walk against Thailand. Below are the updated all-time tournament stats:

05-17-2024, 05:41 AM	#1251
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 2,919	2003 World Baseball Championship The 57^th World Baseball Championship was the second to be hosted in the Philippines, this time centered around Davao. The lone team to go unbeaten in divisional play was a surprise as Egypt (9-0) rolled through Division 1. Only Uruguay (7-2) gave them any chase. This was the second division title for the Egyptians, joining their 1999 effort. The United States took Division 2 at 8-1, fending off Canada (7-2) and the Netherlands (6-3). The Americans have advanced 48 times in total. A very competitive Division 3 had defending World Champion China survive at 7-2. El Salvador, Guatemala, and Iran were each at 6-3 with Honduras and the Philippines at 5-4. The Chinese have advanced 21 times now. Division 4 was also tight as Kazakhstan (7-2) edged out 6-3 efforts by Colombia and Peru. This was the fourth division title for the Kazakhs, although their last was all the way back in 1980. Japan, a semifinalist last year, was a non-factor at 4-5. Division 5 had a tie for first between Brazil and the Dominican Republic at 7-2, while Argentina, Haiti, and India were each 5-4. The head-to-head tiebreaker gave the Brazilians the edge over the DR, sending Brazil forward for the 30^th time. Division 6 also had a tie with both South Korea and Australia at 7-2. The Koreans had the tiebreaker to advance for the 18^th time, ending a drought dating back to 1996. England was also in the mix at 6-3. Division 7 was top heavy as Germany and Mexico tied for first at 8-1 while Nigeria was at 7-2. The Germans had the tiebreaker for their ninth division title and back-to-back berths. Germany, China, and the USA were the three division champs from 2002 to win again in 2003. Lastly in Division 8, Indonesia (7-2) prevailed by one game over Puerto Rico and two over Austria, France, Israel, and Spain. The Indonesians now have 17 division titles with their first since their 2000 runner-up effort. In Double Round Robin Group A, Brazil battered the field at 5-1. China also advanced at 3-3, while Indonesia and Egypt were each ousted at 2-4. This was the 18^th semifinal for the Brazilians and first since 1999. The Chinese repeat bid remained intact with their 16^th final four appearance. Group B saw South Korea first at 5-1, advancing along with the Americans at 4-2. Kazakhstan ended 2-4 and Germany was 1-5. The Koreans now have 11 semifinal berths, although they hadn’t gotten that far since 1983. The United States earned its 42^nd time in the final four and the fourth consecutive. In the semifinals, the Americans topped Brazil 3-1 to earn a fourth straight finals appearance. It is the seventh in eight years and the 38^th overall for the United States. In a five-game classic, South Korea ousted the reigning champion China. This was SK’s seventh finals berth and first since 1973. The Chinese officially finished third place and the Brazilians were fourth. In the 57^th World Championship, the United States returned to its throne with a 4-2 win over South Korea. The Americans have six titles in eight years and are now 33-5 all-time in the championship. The Koreans are now 1-6 in their finals berths with four of the losses against the US. Both top awards went to Americans. WBC MVP was 1B Colin Jordan, a 26-year old entering his seventh season with Nashville. In 24 games, he had 38 hits, 25 runs, 10 doubles, 15 home runs, 39 RBI, a .437/.490/1.092 slash, 321 wRC+, and 3.0 WAR. The 39 RBI was one short of Connor Neumeyer’s record of 40 in 1972. His WAR total and hits were the fourth highest to that point by a position player. Best pitcher went to closer John Milligan, a 25-year old with Minnaeapolis. He tossed 12.1 scoreless innings with 25 strikeouts, three hits allowed, and three walks. Other notes: The United States set a WBC record for triples (12) and had the second most stolen bases in WBC history (83). Romania’s Marian Iancu became the 10^th in WBC history to hit for the cycle, doing it against France. The lone no-hitter of 2003 came from Ghana’s Dylan Grant with 11 strikeouts and one walk against Thailand. Below are the updated all-time tournament stats: __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)