The World Baseball Classic experience was already a major success; now the U.S. has bought in too
By Matt Snyder
Published on March 13, 2026.
The World Baseball Classic (WBC) has become a major success in the United States, with fans initially believing it was a gimmick or a joke. The tournament was proposed in 2005 by the MLB Players Association and officially announced by then-commissioner Bud Selig. Despite this, there were concerns that it would negatively impact their team's performance in the regular season. The results in attendance and ratings were good enough in the first year to keep the event alive. However, the event has been gaining recognition in American sports fans and MLB die-hards alike. The 20th anniversary of the WBC marks a significant success, with USA's game against Great Britain being the most-watched non-final WBC broadcast ever. Players are representing their home country and represent their country more effectively than playing for their paycheck.
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