Sayonara, Mexico.
The World Baseball Classic has, once again, come up big-time when it comes to drama, excitement and pure, unbridled baseball passion. Japan's walk-off win over Mexico in the WBC semifinal exemplified that, but the Japanese broadcast team's call cemented it.
As Japan infielder Munetaka Murakami connected with his game-winning double, the Japanese broadcast team delivered an epic call that'll send shivers down your spine:
The Japanese call of Team Japan's #walkoff is a must-listen. #WorldBaseballClassic
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 21, 2023
Via: Tokyo Broadcasting Systems pic.twitter.com/KggbAYsMhW
MORE: Who is Munetaka Murakami? What to know about Japan's home run boss
Our Japanese is a little rusty, but you can definitely call out a few "sayonaras" in there. Folks on Reddit did their best to make out and translate what the broadcast team said:
Comment
by u/McKiwi957 from discussion [highlight] Japanese TV call of walk off 2 run double vs Mexico
in baseball
Murakami's game-ender set up a date for the United States and Japan in the WBC championship on Tuesday night. This marks Japan's third appearance in the WBC finals, winning the tournament in both 2003 and 2009. The United States has an opportunity to go back-to-back in WBC wins, with their last and sole appearance in the finals resulting in a win in 2017.
MORE: Taking a look back at Japan's World Baseball Classic history
Somewhat surprisingly, this is the first time both of baseball's superpowers are meeting in a WBC final, but the two countries did meet in the 2021 Olympics gold medal game, with Japan taking home the 2-0 win as Murakami supplied half the scoring with a solo homer.
Murakami entered his fateful ninth-inning at-bat Monday with 11 strikeouts in the WBC, unfortunately pacing the tournament. But, it only takes one swing for a massive swing of emotion.
