Article by: Miku Kudo

WBC Japan win, Otani's Q&A "I was dreaming. I'm really happy."

Japan won the WBC for the third time since 2009, when it won the tournament for the second year in a row, with a 3-2 victory over the previous champion, the United States, in the final held in Miami, Florida, on March 21.With the score 0-1 in the second inning, Munetaka Murakami (Yakult) scored two runs with a solo shot to tie the game, his first of the tournament, and Kazuma Okamoto (Giants) added a solo homer in the fourth inning. In the 8th inning, Schwarber's homer brought the score within one, but Shohei Ohtani (Angels), starting as the No. 3 designated hitter, escaped by allowing no runs in the 9th inning.

Otani, who was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP), said, "I'm really happy because this is where I dreamed of being. It was a really close, good game, and I was nervous, but I'm glad I managed to hold them off (in the final inning)," he said happily.

The following is a transcript of the post-game interview.

 

-- the best in the world.

"I'm really happy because this is where I dreamed of being."

--You took the mound in the ninth inning.

"I thought the score would change a little, but it was a really close game, and I was nervous, but I'm glad I managed to hold them off."

--I was going back and forth between the bullpen and the bench.

"When I was with the (Nippon Ham) Fighters, the bullpen was in the back, so I could go right to it, but the bullpen was on the home side, so it wasn't on the light side and it was easier to do that, so I think I was able to do it without any problems."

--The last batter of the game was Trout, a colleague of mine from the Angels.

"I thought if I got one or two outs, the last batter would be Trout, but he led off the inning, so I thought I might not be able to do it, but he got the go-ahead run, so I was able to get the best out of him, and I'm glad it turned out the way it did."

--How was the WBC with this team?

"To be honest, I'm a little sad that it's over, and I think it's the same for everyone, but I'm going back to my respective teams and preparing for the start of the season, so I'm sad, but I'm going to do my best."

--I'm glad we were able to lift up Director Kuriyama.

"I'm glad we were able to finish in the best possible way, so everyone did their jobs, and as was the case yesterday, we persevered, never giving up until the very end, and getting the manager to the championship."

--Japanese baseball is attracting attention around the world.

"I am happy that we were able to win the championship as a step toward making not only Japan but also Korea, Taiwan, China, and other countries love baseball more and more, and I hope that will happen."

"I'm glad it turned out the best it could."