Trout, now watching from afar, thrilled to see Classic hype hitting new heights

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Perhaps the most consequential moment in World Baseball Classic history came at loanDepot park in Miami on March 21, 2023.

That’s when the Classic championship came down to an all-time dream matchup between Shohei Ohtani and then-teammate Mike Trout, two of the greatest players in baseball history.

Ohtani, Japan’s captain, on the mound. Trout, captain for the United States, in the batter’s box. A one-run game with two outs and nobody on in the ninth inning.

Japan looking for its third WBC title in five tournaments. The United States looking to even Japan with two titles of its own.

The count went to 3-2. Of course it did. And then a moment that will live in the annals of baseball history, maybe as the moment the WBC truly arrived: Ohtani struck out Trout with a sweeper that evokes the idea that the only man who could hit it threw it.

As Japan celebrated around Ohtani, who launched his glove and cap into the air in exultation, Trout made the lonely journey back to the dugout.

The moment served as fuel for Team USA, with some players who would comprise a stacked 2026 roster citing the moment as one of the reasons they signed up this year.

In the wake of Japan being stunned by Venezuela in the quarterfinals and hours before the United States and the Dominican Republic were to meet in a hugely anticipated showdown, Trout -- unable to participate this year -- was with his Angels teammates in Tempe, Ariz., following from afar.

“You know, people ask me about the atmosphere the last time I did it,” he said. “And that championship game was loud, but when we played Venezuela, it was real loud.

“People are passionate about their country. And it’s good to see. You could see the excitement when [Wilyer] Abreu hit that homer last night. That’s how it should be.”

And that is how it is in the Classic, an event that has come into its own and demonstrated the power in love of country and love of baseball.

If the Ohtani-Trout at-bat gave us an enduring image of a seminal moment in the tournament’s history, the 2026 Classic might be remembered as the edition in which its popularity truly reached a fever pitch.

“I think now a lot of people are buying in on it,” Trout said. “A lot of guys that maybe would not have done it before are now doing it. So you’re seeing a lot of deep lineups. Venezuela, the Dominican team -- I mean, that lineup is ridiculous.”

And then there is the biggest surprise of the tournament, Team Italy, which is undefeated heading into the semifinals after upsetting Team Puerto Rico Saturday.

Not only is the WBC thriving on the basis of participation and love of country, but also on the sheer drama of it all.

“It’s been a great tournament,” Trout said. “You’ve got some teams that are hot. [Italy] has a good team, good lineup. It’s good to see.”

Ahead of the showdown between Team USA and Team Dominican Republic on Sunday night at loanDepot park in Miami, with advancement to the championship game at stake, Trout said this was not only a great World Baseball Classic matchup, but something we’ll look back on as one of the highlights of the entire year.

Coming from one of the greatest players in the game’s history, one who was at the center of a moment that vaulted the WBC from exciting to must-watch, that’s saying something.

“It’s going to be one of the games to watch for this season, for sure,” he said. “I think everybody’s really excited to see that matchup tonight.”