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History of baseball in South Korea

@HarriganMLB
March 15, 2024

Baseball has become an integral part of South Korean culture since its introduction to the area more than a century ago, growing into a beloved pastime with unique customs and a fervent fan base. Philip L. Gillett, an American missionary with the YMCA, is credited with bringing baseball to Seoul

How cheerleading became the ‘charging cord’ of baseball in Taiwan

@CDrottar19
February 22, 2024

​Drew Gagnon can vividly recall the first time he truly felt the impact of Taiwan’s in-stadium experience. The former Mets reliever was making his fourth outing with the Wei Chuan Dragons of the Chinese Professional Baseball League on April 24, 2021. He entered his start in Taichung City against CTBC

In 1996, the Braves tried to turn the world's best javelin thrower into a pitcher

@michaelsclair
February 19, 2024

You can forgive the Braves for thinking they could turn just about anyone into a frontline ace back in the '90s. After all, in addition to the Hall of Fame trio of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz, the team also saw starters like Kevin Millwood, Steve Avery and

World Baseball Classic heroes and former MLBers highlight Japan vs. Europe rosters

@michaelsclair
February 15, 2024

If the answer was ever in doubt, this past year's World Baseball Classic put it to rest: Baseball is truly a global game -- Europe included. Great Britain and Czechia -- each playing in their respective country's first World Baseball Classic -- both picked up crucial wins, confirming a place

13-year-old's one-of-a-kind journey is boosting baseball in Italy

@CDrottar19
February 2, 2024

Mathieu Silva could barely contain his excitement. His father, Christian, had gathered the family together in their hometown of Bollate just outside of Milan to share an announcement. One which detailed an opportunity unlike any young Italian baseball player had ever experienced. Mathieu -- a 13-year-old outfielder who represented Italy

‘Something in the water’: What makes Australian baseball so special?

@adriangarro
January 18, 2024

“I fell in love the first time I ever set foot on Aussie soil.” Donald Lutz knew he wanted to build a career in baseball in Australia. “In 2019, I made it happen,” Lutz recalled to MLB.com, “and as soon as I got my permanent residency, I knew I was

How one man -- and a mascot named Manny -- is turning Germans into baseball fans

@michaelsclair
January 13, 2024

It was a rainy September day in Hoofddorp, Netherlands during the 2018 Super Six baseball tournament when Sascha Hermann got his big idea. Hermann was cheering for the German National Team from his seat when he looked around and was disappointed by what he saw. Though the city was just

Remembering Adam Jones' epic catch in '17 Classic

Dominican, U.S. players revisit HR-robbing grab from 2017
January 11, 2024

MLB Network, launched on Jan. 1, 2009, is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2024. Through Jan. 19, MLB Network will count down the top 15 moments it has covered in its history, via weeknight segments on MLB Tonight (6 p.m. ET), as well as across its social platforms. And don’t

How the Czech Republic baseball team became big stars in Japan 

@michaelsclair
January 3, 2024

If the most memorable moment of the World Baseball Classic was when Shohei Ohtani faced Mike Trout with a world championship on the line, then the second-biggest moment may have been its most unexpected. For who at home could have predicted that Ohtani -- the massive 6-foot-4 slugger with arms

Japan, Mexico and the U.S. lead field for Premier12 tournament next year

@michaelsclair
December 20, 2023

Have you been in an international baseball funk since Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout to end the World Baseball Classic in March? Think you can't make it until 2026 when the WBC returns? Well, have no fear: International baseball is a year-round sport and we just learned the 12

Alex Hugo becomes first player to win two USA Baseball Sportswoman of the Year awards

@michaelsclair
December 14, 2023

It didn't matter who the opponent was or what they offered: If a pitcher dared to throw Team USA star Alex Hugo a pitch near the strike zone, she was going to bash it. With long slashes of eye black drawn across her face, the Team USA slugger went 10-for-14

Spain defeats Great Britain for first European Championship since 1955 

@michaelsclair
October 1, 2023

BRNO, Czechia -- One year ago, at the World Baseball Classic Qualifiers in Regensburg, Spain had two opportunites to win one more game to advance to the main tournament. First, they lost to Great Britain, blowing an 8-3 lead along the way. Then, they were upset by the now-beloved underdogs,

Spain and Great Britain to play for historic European Championship  

@michaelsclair
September 29, 2023

Tournament baseball can be cruel. Have one bad inning, one mistimed error or one call that doesn't go your way and your team's chance of a gold medal evaporates. That was true for 14 of the 16 teams taking part in this year's European Championship hosted in the Czech Republic.

Great Britain baseball artist Andy Brown has seen the baseball world with paintbrush in hand

@michaelsclair
September 28, 2023

He has a uniform and travels with Great Britain Baseball. But the man with the trimmed salt-and-pepper beard is not a coach nor a trainer. You won’t find him on the field or in the dugout, either. Instead, you’ll find him in the stands, paintbrush in hand, perched thoughtfully over

Previewing the 2023 European Baseball Championship

@michaelsclair
September 21, 2023

Europe's baseballing nations made a statement at the World Baseball Classic this spring. Often overlooked, the success of Italy -- which reached the quarterfinals at the expense of the Netherlands -- along with victories by Great Britain and the Czech Republic that confirmed their place in the 2026 tournament, helped

The teenage pitching sensation who's putting French baseball on the map

@michaelsclair
August 23, 2023

Playing in the final group game of the 2022 U-18 European Championships, France needed a victory to advance. It was a difficult task against the eventual champions, Spain. After falling behind, 4-2, in the bottom of the fourth, France couldn't afford to give up any more runs. So, manager Gerardo

Great Britain's baseball future is bright after Classic showing

@michaelsclair
June 18, 2023

When Great Britain baseball manager Drew Spencer pauses to reflect on the country's historic 2023 World Baseball Classic tournament, there’s one moment that stands out. It wasn’t one of Mariners top prospect Harry Ford’s home runs or Chavez Young’s first-ever WBC steal of home. It was actually a conversation he

Team Mexico inspires the future of Mexican baseball 

@michaelsclair
April 28, 2023

Just three outs are all that separated Team Mexico and its first trip to the World Baseball Classic championship game. Leading the soon-to-be-champion Samurai Japan team, 5-4, it all unraveled as Japan's superstar hitters woke up: A Shohei Ohtani double, Masataka Yoshida walk, and a game-winning double from Munetaka Murakami

The Mexico Little League team that shocked the world

From the modest sandlots of Monterrey to the only LLWS perfect game
@MattMonagan
April 27, 2023

It's been nearly 70 years, but pitcher José "Pepe" Maiz García recalls his team's wondrous 1957 Little League World Series run like it was yesterday. It seems to be something that's just constantly replaying through his head. "Our coach Cesar Faz would always tell us, 'You have to have fun,'"

These 3 Angels pitchers shined in Classic

March 26, 2023

This story was excerpted from Rhett Bollinger's Angels Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox. TEMPE, Ariz. -- While it was superstars Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout who were deservingly the talk of the World Baseball Classic after their

After breakout Classic, Chang battles for roster spot

Visa issues delayed Pool A MVP's arrival in Fort Myers, but did not deter his enthusiasm
March 25, 2023

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Fresh off being named the Most Valuable Player of Pool A in the World Baseball Classic, Yu Chang could have ridden back into Red Sox camp riding a wave of momentum. Instead, he waited. And waited. And waited. There were visa issues that delayed Chang flying

Tigers scout gets front-row seat to baseball history

March 24, 2023

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Kan Ikeda was like millions of baseball fans on Tuesday night, glued to a screen watching Shohei Ohtani face Mike Trout with the World Baseball Classic on the line. Unlike millions of fans, the action was right outside his door. Kan was in the clubhouse for Team

Next for Ohtani after epic Classic? 'Win a ring with the Angels'

Two-way star fans eight in Minor League tuneup before Opening Day start
March 24, 2023

TEMPE, Ariz. -- It’s fair to say the atmosphere was a bit different for Shohei Ohtani in his start in a Minor League game on Friday compared to his previous outing earlier in the week. Ohtani, fresh off picking up the save to lead Team Japan to the World Baseball

Assad riding Classic high in push for Cubs' roster

Righty has maintained velocity boost in spring camp and in stint with Team Mexico
March 24, 2023

MESA, Ariz. -- Javier Assad maintained a stoic expression, but a smile started to form in the corner of his mouth as he listened to the question. The Cubs’ rookie pitcher pondered his reply. The question posed to Assad was this: If he could go back two years and tell

Second 'was cool' in Classic, but Anderson's focus is short

White Sox infielder has blast playing new position for Team USA, draws praise from Trout
March 23, 2023

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Yes, Tim Anderson started at second base for Team USA during five of his six games played in the World Baseball Classic. No, don’t think the White Sox or Anderson have any thoughts of making that move even temporarily during the upcoming Major League season. “[Elvis] Andrus