Which country won the first World Baseball Classic in 2006?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers, wearing a white uniform and helmet, watches his hit while holding a bat during a game at Dodger Stadium. — Baseball Freddie Freeman, shown here in a 2023 game, was named World Series MVP in 2024 after hitting four home runs and driving in 12 runs for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Japan won the first World Baseball Classic in 2006. Led by outfielder Ichiro Suzuki and pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, the Japanese team defeated Cuba with a score of 10–6 in the championship game held at Petco Park in San Diego.1