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Top Ten International Baseball Moments of 2024

 Brandon Kramer - World Baseball Network  |    Dec 2nd, 2024 8:00pm EST

2024 has been an amazing year for baseball all around the world. As the year comes to a close, let’s take a look back at the top 10 international baseball moments for all of 2024! 

Shohei Ohtani 50/50 Season 

In his first season with the Dodgers, Ohtani did something no baseball player has ever done. Ohtani would have one of the greatest all-around seasons in MLB history. He would reach the milestone during one of the best single-game performances ever. Against the Marlins on September 19, Ohtani would go 6/6 with three home runs, two stolen bases, and 10 RBIs. At the end of the season, Ohtani would become a World Series Champion and the first DH to win an MVP, finishing the year with a ridiculous 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases.  

Taiwan Wins Premier12

While the MLB season ended in October, more baseball was to be played as the Premier12 tournament kicked off in early November. After a very strong Super Round, it would be Taiwan against the favored Samurai Japan. Taiwan would shock the world, shutting out Japan and winning 4-0. It was Taiwan’s first-ever international baseball tournament win.  

Kim Do-yeong 30/30 MVP Season

Kim Do-yeong had one of the best breakout seasons in recent memory, as the 20-year-old would go on to have an incredible season. The young star would slash .347/.420/.647 while hitting 38 home runs and driving in 109 RBIs. He would also go on to steal 40 bases. On July 23, he would become the first player to hit a natural cycle without being retired. During this incredible season, do-Yeong was the leader in almost every offensive category.  

Trevor Bauer 19k Game 

On June 21, Trevor Bauer, in his first season in the LMB, would break the single-game strikeout record with 19. Bauer would break the 80-year-old record held by Cuban Baseball Legend Martín Dihigo, who set the record with 18. Bauer was unhittable in his only season with the Diablos, as he would go on to win the Best Pitcher Award. Bauer would pitch to a 10-0 record with a 2.48 ERA while striking out 120 batters in only 83 innings. Bauer would help lead the Diablos to the title, sweeping the Sultanes.  

Robinson Cano .400 Season

Staying in the LMB and with the Diablos, Robinson Cano had one of the best seasons in baseball history. In his first season in the LMB, Cano won the league MVP, slashing an insane .431/.475/.639 while hitting 14 home runs and driving in 77 RBIs. Cano was a vital piece for the record-breaking Diablos, who would ride his bat all the way to the finals.  

Sam Aldeghrei Makes History 

Sam Aldeghrei made history on August 30, as he would become the first pitcher born and developed in Italy to play in Major League Baseball. Aldeghrei, born in Verona, Italy, would debut against the Mariners as a member of the Angels.  He would go five innings, allowing six hits and two runs while striking out three. World Baseball Network’s own Chris Vaccaro would sit down and speak with Aldeghrei and talk all about his journey to the Major Leagues.

Luis Arraez Wins Third Straight Batting Title 

For the third straight year, Luis Arraez would win the batting title, this time with the Padres. Last season, Arraez became the only player to win a batting title in both the NL and AL, but would top that this season, becoming the first player in MLB history to win three consecutive batting titles with three different teams. Arraez would finish his 2024 season with an NL-leading average of .314. 

Shin Soo-Choo Retires

Shin Soo-Choo, widely considered the greatest Korean-born player ever, would hang up the cleats after the 2024 KBO season. The 41-year-old would finish his career with the SSG Landers of the KBO, slashing .281/.373/.403 and hitting four home runs with 40 RBIs. Choo is also considered the most productive Korean-born MLB player. In his 16-year career, Choo would slash .275/.377/.447 while hitting 218 home runs and driving in 782 RBIs. He left the Majors in 2020 after his final year with the Texas Rangers. 

Salvador Perez Wins Roberto Clemente Award

The Roberto Clemente Award is considered among players to be the most important award in baseball. It is given out to the player who best demonstrates the values that the great Roberto Clemente had when giving back and helping the community. This year the award was given to Venezuelan and Royals legend, Catcher Salvador Perez. He is most proud of his work for his home country of Venezuela, where he and his mother have given kitchen supplies to over 2000 households and donated first aid supplies to over 10,000 households.  

DeNA Baystars Win it All

For the first time in 26 years, the deNA Baystars won the NPB Japan Series. This was a shocking upset as they were heavy underdogs going into the series against the Softbank Hawks and would go down 2-0. They would storm back and win the next four to capture the Japan Series in one of the most shocking upsets in NPB history. Masayuki Kuwahara would win series MVP as he would tie the record for most RBIS with nine. Former MLB players Andre Jackson, Anthony Kay, and Yoshi Tsutsugo all would win outstanding player honors. What makes this comeback so shocking is the deNA Baystars now hold the record for the worst winning percentage to win the Japan Series (.507).

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Brandon Kramer - World Baseball Network
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