MLB Showdown Obsession

 There are plenty of rivalries that have developed from (or existed before) the World Baseball Classic competition. None quite a fierce however as when the Japanese and Koreans lock horns. South Korea would face Japan three times in 2006, winning the first two meetings but Japan would hang around each time before getting the last laugh in the semi-finals. The format for 2009 only added to the potential for these two countries to fight each other, and that's just what happened down to the bitter end. To show just how intense things got for these two countries, I give you WBC MVP Daisuke Matsuzaka. If at 5 innings and 0 control you think his card is unworthy of such accolades, you'd be right, but understand that those stats are from his regular season after the WBC ended, where he revealed he pitched through injury. The Red Sox weren't thrilled, but Japan thought it was worth it. The Koreans and Japan were in the same pool to start the 2009 tournament, but first Korea had to ...

 The United States of America were the unfortunate victims of the tie breaker procedure in 2006, bowing out in the 2nd round. They were back to do better in 2009, but for the the first (and so far only) time, they'd have to play round 1 on the road. Usually, one of America's cities will play host for one of the four round 1 locations, but in 2009, Canada would play the host team for pool play while America would host the rest of the competition starting in round 2. The US would have no issues qualifying for round 2; first with a 6-5 win over host Canada (paying them back for a loss from 2006) then 15-6 over Venezuela. Venezuela got the last laugh when they won the losers bracket, then beat the US 5-3 in the round 1 finale to claim the winning seed going into round 2. The setbacks continued in round 2 where Puerto Rico thumped the Americans 11-1 in 7 mercy rule shortened innings. With their backs against the wall, the US eliminated the Netherlands 9-3 before winning the rematch ...

 I've discussed this about a year ago, that despite how the Los Angeles Angels spent time with not one but two of the biggest names in baseball they still couldn't even sniff postseason play. This was best encompassed in their infamous game on August 4, 2022 when they hit 7 Home Runs and still lost. I go into greater detail there, but long story short: they always found a way to lose despite any advantage they had. One defense to the Trout/Ohtani failure has always been "It's not their fault. The Angels just have no one around them to win with!" So let's take a look at that claim... In 2022, all of baseball got a late start from the previous winters labor strike, but the Halos still had hope entering the season. Not only did they still have Trout and the 2-way threat Ohtani, but they were going into year 3 of Joe Maddon as Manager. Maddon had a Hall of Fame worthy resume already by guiding the Rays to their 1st pennant as Manager, not to mention being the guy...