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FuzzyRussianHat · 06-07-2024, 03:50 PM

The 59^th World Baseball Championship was hosted in Europe for the first time since 1995. Italy was the host nation for the first time with the festivities centered around Naples. Division 1 was a tight race with Egypt and Sweden tying for first at 7-2, while both Ireland and Morocco were 6-3. The Egyptians had the head-to-head tiebreaker for their third-ever division win and second in three years. Taiwan, last year’s runner-up, was fifth in D1 at 4-5.

Perennial powerhouses were stuck together in Division 2 with the United States at 8-1 ousting reigning world champ Canada at 7-2. The Americans were back into the playoff field after a rare miss in 2004, advancing for the 49^th time in WBC history. In Division 3, China (7-2) took the top spot with four other nations behind at 5-4. The Chinese advanced for the 22^nd time and won their third division title in four years.

Division 4 saw Japan on top at 8-1 with Greece the closest foe at 6-3. The Japanese advanced for the 17^th time and ended a two-year drought. Division 5 saw the 71^st unique nation to win a division title as South Africa won it at 8-1. They held off challenges from 7-2 India and 6-3 Brazil.

Division 6 had Chile and Australia tied for first at 7-2. The Chileans had the head-to-head tiebreaker, moving forward for only the third time (1987, 1962). They would be the lone South American team to advance in 2005. Nigeria and the Netherlands tied atop D7 at 7-2 with Tanzania at 6-3. The Nigerians had the tiebreaker to advance for the fifth time. It was their first division title since their 1999 runner-up effort.

Division 8 had the host Italy prevail at 7-2, topping France by one game. This was the 13^th time advancing for the Italians, who ended up being the only team from the 2004 playoff field to advance in 2005. They were also the only European team in the fold. 2005 was also the first time in WBC history that three African teams had won divisions; a major win showing the growth of the game in Africa in just a short time.

However, those three African nations would cede semifinal spots to the more traditional powers. Round Robin Group A had Japan and China both advance at 4-2, while Chile and Nigeria were 2-4. It was the eighth semifinal for the Japanese, who last did it in 2002. The Chinese earned a third semifinal in four years and their 17^th overall.

In Group B, the United States was dominant at 5-1 for a 43^rd appearance in the semifinal. At 3-3, Italy edged out 2-4 finishes from both South Africa and Egypt. This was the sixth semifinal for the Italians, who hadn’t gotten that far since their lone championship appearance in 1988.

Italy would secure a second-ever trip to the finale, surprising Japan with a semifinal sweep. The United States also swept China, giving the Americans a 39^th finals berth. It would be the eighth finals berth in ten years for the US. Officially, Japan was third and China was fourth with the tiebreaker being the superior divisional record for the Japanese (8-1 to 7-2). It was Japan’s best finish since 1989.

In a rematch of the 1988 World Championship, the United States rolled to a sweep of Italy. The Americans are now 34-5 all-time in the finale and won its seventh title in the last decade. Leading the way was tournament MVP Graham Gregor, a third baseman entering his sixth MLB season with Omaha. In 22 games, Gregor had 28 hits, 19 runs, 6 doubles, 10 home runs, 27 RBI, a .326/.414/.744 slash, 236 wRC+, and 1.8 WAR.

The American pitching staff was impressive as well. The team’s 0.632 WHIP was the second lowest in WBC history, while the 3.71 H/9 was the third best. Best Pitcher would go to closer A.J. Gilhooley, a fourth-year MLBer with Austin. His one start was historic as it was the eighth-ever WBC Perfect Game. Gilhooley tied the record for strikeouts in any no-hitter by fanning 22 against New Zealand.

Gilhooley also had three relief appearances, finishing with 14 no-hit innings, 36 strikeouts, one walk, and a 3-0 record. It was an incredible highlight in an otherwise injury plagued career. He ultimately had two torn flexor tendons and two torn rotator cuffs, effectively ending his career before turning 30.

Other notes: The United States also saw a no-hitter in the championship against Italy from Joshua Williams, who had 15 strikeouts and five walks in the effort. Canada allowed only 10 runs and had a 1.11 team ERA in divisional play. These two marks remain all-time WBC bests as of 2037. Below are the all-time tournament stats.

06-07-2024, 03:50 PM	#1316
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 3,094	2005 World Baseball Championship The 59^th World Baseball Championship was hosted in Europe for the first time since 1995. Italy was the host nation for the first time with the festivities centered around Naples. Division 1 was a tight race with Egypt and Sweden tying for first at 7-2, while both Ireland and Morocco were 6-3. The Egyptians had the head-to-head tiebreaker for their third-ever division win and second in three years. Taiwan, last year’s runner-up, was fifth in D1 at 4-5. Perennial powerhouses were stuck together in Division 2 with the United States at 8-1 ousting reigning world champ Canada at 7-2. The Americans were back into the playoff field after a rare miss in 2004, advancing for the 49^th time in WBC history. In Division 3, China (7-2) took the top spot with four other nations behind at 5-4. The Chinese advanced for the 22^nd time and won their third division title in four years. Division 4 saw Japan on top at 8-1 with Greece the closest foe at 6-3. The Japanese advanced for the 17^th time and ended a two-year drought. Division 5 saw the 71^st unique nation to win a division title as South Africa won it at 8-1. They held off challenges from 7-2 India and 6-3 Brazil. Division 6 had Chile and Australia tied for first at 7-2. The Chileans had the head-to-head tiebreaker, moving forward for only the third time (1987, 1962). They would be the lone South American team to advance in 2005. Nigeria and the Netherlands tied atop D7 at 7-2 with Tanzania at 6-3. The Nigerians had the tiebreaker to advance for the fifth time. It was their first division title since their 1999 runner-up effort. Division 8 had the host Italy prevail at 7-2, topping France by one game. This was the 13^th time advancing for the Italians, who ended up being the only team from the 2004 playoff field to advance in 2005. They were also the only European team in the fold. 2005 was also the first time in WBC history that three African teams had won divisions; a major win showing the growth of the game in Africa in just a short time. However, those three African nations would cede semifinal spots to the more traditional powers. Round Robin Group A had Japan and China both advance at 4-2, while Chile and Nigeria were 2-4. It was the eighth semifinal for the Japanese, who last did it in 2002. The Chinese earned a third semifinal in four years and their 17^th overall. In Group B, the United States was dominant at 5-1 for a 43^rd appearance in the semifinal. At 3-3, Italy edged out 2-4 finishes from both South Africa and Egypt. This was the sixth semifinal for the Italians, who hadn’t gotten that far since their lone championship appearance in 1988. Italy would secure a second-ever trip to the finale, surprising Japan with a semifinal sweep. The United States also swept China, giving the Americans a 39^th finals berth. It would be the eighth finals berth in ten years for the US. Officially, Japan was third and China was fourth with the tiebreaker being the superior divisional record for the Japanese (8-1 to 7-2). It was Japan’s best finish since 1989. In a rematch of the 1988 World Championship, the United States rolled to a sweep of Italy. The Americans are now 34-5 all-time in the finale and won its seventh title in the last decade. Leading the way was tournament MVP Graham Gregor, a third baseman entering his sixth MLB season with Omaha. In 22 games, Gregor had 28 hits, 19 runs, 6 doubles, 10 home runs, 27 RBI, a .326/.414/.744 slash, 236 wRC+, and 1.8 WAR. The American pitching staff was impressive as well. The team’s 0.632 WHIP was the second lowest in WBC history, while the 3.71 H/9 was the third best. Best Pitcher would go to closer A.J. Gilhooley, a fourth-year MLBer with Austin. His one start was historic as it was the eighth-ever WBC Perfect Game. Gilhooley tied the record for strikeouts in any no-hitter by fanning 22 against New Zealand. Gilhooley also had three relief appearances, finishing with 14 no-hit innings, 36 strikeouts, one walk, and a 3-0 record. It was an incredible highlight in an otherwise injury plagued career. He ultimately had two torn flexor tendons and two torn rotator cuffs, effectively ending his career before turning 30. Other notes: The United States also saw a no-hitter in the championship against Italy from Joshua Williams, who had 15 strikeouts and five walks in the effort. Canada allowed only 10 runs and had a 1.11 team ERA in divisional play. These two marks remain all-time WBC bests as of 2037. Below are the all-time tournament stats. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports The Level Playing Field: Alternate MLB History From 1884-Onward Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)