The World Baseball Classic has wrapped up, with Japan claiming the first ever championship. For a tournament that was maligned as a gimmicky contrivance at a bad time of the year, the WBC was a rousing success.

Sure, it's a little presumptuous, not to mention downright goofy, to label an inaugural event a "classic." Goofier still was the gaudy baseball flower logo that represented the tournament, which looked like something out of the reject bin of Olympic logos - and THAT's saying something.

The baseball itself, however, was fantastic. There were close games, unique feats, and great finishes. There was parity, as no team finished the tournament with an undefeated record. Japan had to overcome 3 losses to claim its prize. Alas, I still don't know what that prize looks like, as ESPN cut away from their coverage prior to the closing ceremonies.

The US fielded a team of superior talent that was tough to score against, but couldn't generate any offense and failed to reach even the semi-finals. Sound familiar, Olympic hockey fans?

There was something for everyone, including:

• Italy claiming a first major international win, over Olympic silver medallists Australia.
• The Netherlands picking up a win, courtesy of a no-hitter.
• Canada upsetting the US, complete with in-the-park homer by Adam Stern.
• South Africa, easily the biggest underdog of the tournament, carrying a lead into the 9th against a Canadian team laden with Major Leaguers
• Mexico knocking the US out of contention.
• managers being ejected via translator.
• plenty of umpire drama, as a blown call almost put Japan out of the tournament.
• 3 former Blue Jays, Roger Clemens, Al Leiter and the Rubber Arm of Port Hope, Paul Quantrill, retired in the uniforms of their country. Though I don't think anyone is convinced that Clemens is done.
• The emergence of a great Korea-Japan rivalry, with Ichiro Suzuki in the unlikely role of villain. This could become for baseball what Canada-Russia has been in hockey.
• The handshakes between Cuba and Japan, a wonderfully sportsmanlike way to conclude the tournament.

It was sad to see Luis Ayala's season end, as his arm gave out while pitching against the US. Despite the fact that the injury was probably bound to happen before Spring Training was out, this will give Major League owners a precedent to whine about when the next WBC comes up. At least Ayala doesn't play for the Yankees.

Anyone who thought that fans wouldn't care about the WBC need only have watched Korea and Japan clash on foreign soil in front of a packed and rowdy stadium. It would be nice if the exposure to the exuberance of fans from Puerto Rico, Korea, Japan and Cuba injected North American baseball crowds with a little more life.

Finally, in a tournament which did a splendid job of showcasing the depth of Major League talent from all over the World, it was ironic that just two major leaguers, Ichiro and Akinori Otsuka, participated in the final.

So what does the future hold for the WBC? We'll have to wait until 2009 for the next one, but after baseball is dropped from the Olympics, the WBC should take place every two years. It should also be held in November or December, along the same timeline as the annual All-Star tour of Japan.

Unsigned free agents might not want to risk injury and jeopardize a huge pay day. However, that will be balanced by the fact that the players who do participate will be in game shape rather than spring training shape, thus improving the quality of play.

Imagine a Japan-US final in the friendly confines of the Tokyo Dome in late November. That kind of atmosphere could quickly make the WBC a true Classic.

---