“Shohei Ohtani won round 1” – When Mike Trout vowed to get one back after Team USA’s agonizing 3-2 loss to Japan at the 2023 World Baseball Classic

World Baseball Classic Sluggers Mike Trout & Shohei Ohtani

Ahead of the 2023 season, Mike Trout and Team USA were looking to defend their World Baseball Classic title. They won the latest tournament back in 2017 but knew going back-to-back would be tough.

Trout and Team USA took care of Team Venezuela and then Team Cuba to reach the championship game. It would be here that they would face Shohei Ohtani and Samurai Japan, a team that is always a tough test.

It was a fantastic game fit for a championship. Down one run with two outs, Trout found himself facing Ohtani. With the game on the line, the two-way phenom struck Trout out swinging. However, Trout does not see this as a one-time matchup.