Sometimes the sports world seems like it just has to be scripted.
As was the case Tuesday night for the final of the World Baseball Classic between the United States and Japan.
In the top of the ninth with his team-leading 3-2, global two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani headed to the mound to try and bring home the championship for his home country of Japan.
And who happened to be due up third for the United States? Yes, you guessed it, his Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout. You can't make this stuff up.
The late-game appearance was also the first-career save attempt for Ohtani. Talk about a moment to do it in.
After Ohtani forced Mookie Betts to ground into a double play for the inning's first two outs, the stage was set for the two superstars to square off with the world watching.
Ohtani versus Trout. With the World Baseball Classic title on the line.
Chills.
The at-bat was as advertised, as Trout battled his way to a full count. However, Ohtani would get the last laugh with a nasty slider, striking out his Angels teammate and bringing a third WBC title to Japan in the process.
The duel between the two baseball giants, which will go down as one of the most watched at-bats in baseball history, was the perfect way to finish a tournament with a plethora of show-stopping moments.
Understandably, the baseball world had a lot to say about the storybook ending to an incredible tournament. Here are some of the best reactions.
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