WBC Creation
The first WBC in March 2006 saw Japan compete under manager Sadaharu Oh with stars including Ichiro, Matsuzaka, Uehara, and Johjima.
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Korea Losses and Rally
Japan lost twice to Korea in early rounds. Ichiro declared they could not end this way, and Japan crushed Korea 6-0 in the semifinal with Ichiro collecting 3 hits.
Championship Game
In the final against Cuba, Ichiro hit the go-ahead RBI in the 8th. Japan won 10-6. Daisuke Matsuzaka was named tournament MVP with a 3-0 record and 2.12 ERA.
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Historical Significance
The 2006 WBC title proved Japanese baseball world-class quality. It led to a repeat championship in 2009, establishing Japan as an international powerhouse.