Mike Trout

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

In the 2023 World Baseball Classic championship game on March 21, 2023, at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, Mike Trout faced Shohei Ohtani in a moment widely praised as one of the greatest in the sport's history. With Japan leading 3–2 in the ninth inning, Ohtani—used as a designated hitter to record the save—struck out Trout on a 87.2 mph slider on a full count, after throwing two down-the-middle swung-on 100 mph fastballs. The duel between the team captains and Los Angeles Angels teammates was described as storybook-like. Trout's early commitment to Team USA in July 2022 was highlighted by general manager Tony Reagins as a key factor in building the U.S. roster, which attracted distinguished players unlike in 2009, 2013, and 2017. The game drew an average television viewership of 5.2 million in the U.S. and 62 million in Japan.

Reader's Guide

Mike Trout's role in the 2023 World Baseball Classic centered on his early commitment to the United States national team in July 2022, which general manager Tony Reagins credited for helping convince other players to join. Trout served as team captain and faced Japan's Shohei Ohtani in the championship game's final at-bat. Ohtani struck out Trout on a full-count slider to secure Japan's 3–2 victory and a record-extending third WBC title. The game was one of the most watched in baseball history, with 5.2 million U.S. viewers and 62 million Japanese viewers. Trout's performance in the tournament contributed to the U.S. reaching the final, where they lost to Japan.

Did You Know?

• Mike Trout committed to the United States national team for the 2023 World Baseball Classic in July 2022.
• Trout struck out against his Los Angeles Angels teammate Shohei Ohtani in the final at-bat of the 2023 WBC championship game.
• The final at-bat featured two 100 mph fastballs down the middle followed by an 87.2 mph slider on a full count.
• The 2023 WBC championship game drew 5.2 million television viewers in the U.S. and 62 million in Japan.
• Trout's early commitment was credited by U.S. general manager Tony Reagins for making it easier to convince other distinguished players to join the team.