Brazil became the final qualifier for the World Baseball Classic by emerging from a four-team pool that also included Colombia, Nicaragua, and Panama.
They defeated Panama in last night’s pool-deciding game, at Rod Carew Stadium in Panama, which was a pretty huge upset and a very thrilling 1-0 game that saw 39-year-old former big leaguer Ruben Rivera strike out to end things.
Brazil’s roster includes just one big leaguer, Indians role player Yan Gomes, and they’re managed by Hall of Famer Barry Larkin. Gomes drove in the game’s only run last night with a bloop hit and afterward Larkin said: “It’s good to be good and it’s good to be lucky. We are a little bit of both today.”
Panama’s roster included major leaguers (or former major leaguers) Rivera, Carlos Lee, Carlos Ruiz, Manny Acosta, Ruben Tejada, Manuel Corpas, Ramiro Mendoza, and Jose Macias.
Brazil joins Canada, Chinese Taipei, and Spain in qualifying for the WBC through pool play, joining the 12 teams that received automatic bids.
