March 3 : Japan, powered by Shohei Ohtani, will look to pad their global success on the diamond at this year's World Baseball Classic while Team USA and other nations like the Dominican Republic and Venezuela all try to deny the reigning champions another title. The WBC begins on Thursday with a lot to live up to after the momentum from the previous edition in 2023 which was deemed an instant classic and defining moment in Japanese baseball as Ohtani struck out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate