What we learned: Baseball wrap-up from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
From Japan's historic first Olympic title to Dominican Republic winning their nations first team medal, take a look at baseball's most memorable moments at Tokyo 2020, a medal recap, and what comes next.
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Some 13 years on from last appearing in Beijing, baseball returned to the Olympic Games.
And it saw the coming together of some of the best teams in the world, with hosts Japan stealing the headlines after winning their first baseball gold.
Dominican Republic made history winning their first baseball medal and the nations first team medal - while defending champions Republic of Korea fell short of the podium.
Below, we take a look back at the most memorable moments, a recap of the medal winners, and what comes next for the sport.
Top 5 baseball moments at Tokyo 2020
1: History for Japan
For Japan, winning gold on home soil almost felt like destiny.
After waiting 13 years for baseball to return to the Olympic Games, it almost felt fitting that they would win their first title on their homeland.
And they did it against tough opposition, meeting the United States in the final.
Japan would go onto win 2-0, cementing their name in baseball's Olympic history.
That win would finally see them put a gold medal next to the name of one of the country's most beloved sports.
2: A debut to remember for Israel
Regardless of what would unfold in Tokyo, the Israeli baseball team were already history-makers.
The 24-man team led the nation into Japan as they made their baseball debut at Tokyo 2020.
And they certainly made a name for themselves, forcing defending champions Republic of Korea to extra innings at one point and knocking out Mexico.
But ultimately it wasn't meant to be for them, going home without a medal.
For manager Eric Holtz, though, their legacy is about more than just winning - but more about inspiring young children back home - something which he believes they did.
3: Record figures tune in for the final
Baseball has long been one of Japan's most loved sports, and viewing figures reflected that.
According to the WBSC, the gold medal match between Japan and the USA was the most viewed sporting event of Tokyo 2020 in the host country.
Not only did they reap the rewards of reinstating baseball into the Olympic programme, but it also mirrored in the demand to see the action unfold.
And with COVID limiting those allowed into the stadium to view the game, it meant millions tuning in to witness Japan claim their first Olympic title.
4: A first for Dominican Republic
It was to be a tournament of firsts for many, and Dominican Republic got in on the action too.
The nation's baseball team have twice appeared at the Olympic Games: once at Barcelona 1992 - finishing sixth - when baseball debuted as a medal event, and again almost 30 years later when it was reinstated at Tokyo 2020.
Led by a number of Major League Baseball veterans, the team – a mix of young MLB prospects and established players in the Dominican League – bettered the sole previous performance by making it into the bronze medal match, but they would have to come up against defending champions Republic of Korea.
And an exciting game saw Dominican Republic blow their opponents away in a 10-6 win to win bronze.
Not only was this a first ever Olympic medal in baseball, but it was the nation's first Olympic medal of any shade in a team sport.
5: USA complete the medal collection
The United States came into Tokyo 2020 having won bronze back in Beijing 13 years ago, and as gold medallists from Sydney 2000.
Despite being unable to call on their MLB stars, the team – led by veteran MLB manager Mike Scioscia – did themselves proud.
While gold, like for all teams, would have been the aim for the Americans, it just wasn't meant to be in Tokyo.
They fell at the final hurdle to worthy opponents in hosts Japan, leaving them to pick up silver.
While not the colour they came here for, a silver meant completing their collection of Olympic medals.
One last look
Baseball was a tournament of two tales.
For Japan, it was about winning the elusive gold medal; and while fans couldn't be there, it was fitting that they were able to do so on home soil.
But the history didn't stop there.
Dominican Republic's national team really put themselves on the map with their bronze medal win - inspiring a nation and showing the power of working together as team.
It was a worthwhile wait for baseball to return to the Olympic Games given the moments that followed.
What's next?
Baseball will not be back at Paris 2024, having been an additional sport for Tokyo 2020.
The next senior international tournament in men's baseball is expected to be in 2023, when the World Baseball Classic – and MLB-backed tournament featuring its best stars – and the WBSC Premier12 are both expected to take place.
Looking further afield, with Los Angeles and Brisbane hosting the Olympic Games in 2028 and 2032 respectively in countries with a strong baseball presence, the sport may be back on the programme sooner rather than later.
When and where to watch baseball replays on Olympics.com
The answer is: olympics.com/tokyo2020-replays.
Full medals list for baseball at Tokyo 2020
Gold: Japan
Silver: United States
Bronze: Dominican Republic