From The Dugout: World Baseball Classic Is A Preview Of Baseball's Future

Shohei Ohtani striking out Mike Trout in the 2023 WBC turned March into must-see baseball and showed the tournament can genuinely stop the world.
The WBC now draws top MLB stars (Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., elite pitchers), packed, festival-like crowds, and intense national pride — it feels more like a short, high-stakes World Cup than an exhibition.
Baseball’s future is increasingly global, and MLB could lean into the WBC’s loud, cultural atmosphere and international marketing instead of treating the season as purely domestic.

Sports

March 3, 2026 at 8:30 PM

Colts used the transition tag on QB Daniel Jones (so they can match offers but get no compensation), leaving top WR Alec Pierce to hit the open market.
Cowboys placed the franchise tag on breakout WR Pickens (93 catches, 1,429 yards), locking him up for a one-year deal worth roughly $28M.
Jets franchise-tagged RB Breece Hall — he can take a one-year $14.3M deal or sign long-term, and any team signing him would owe two first-round picks if the Jets don’t match.

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March 3, 2026 at 8:11 PM

Arizona freshman Burries became the first two-time AP men's player of the week this season after averaging 22 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists to help the Wildcats clinch at least a share of the Big 12 regular-season crown.
Oral Roberts’ Ty Harper scored 47 points (going a perfect 21-for-21 from the free-throw line to break the Summit League record) and followed with 27 in his next game.
Vanderbilt’s sophomore guard averaged 34.5 points, 5 rebounds and 4.5 assists in wins over Alabama and Tennessee, becoming the first SEC player in 26 years to reach twelve 30‑point games.

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March 3, 2026 at 7:05 PM

Scherzer’s 8‑year‑old daughter Brooke secretly wrote a sweet letter to the Blue Jays asking them to bring her dad back, saying the family loves Toronto and its sights.
Scherzer re‑signed with Toronto on a one‑year, $3M deal (with up to $10M in performance bonuses) after the Jays nearly won the World Series.
He says he’s healthy after a thumb issue, is motivated to chase another title, and brings prior World Series experience to the team.

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March 3, 2026 at 6:42 PM

UConn is a roller‑coaster — it can dismantle top teams one week and play down to weaker opponents the next, which makes them fascinating to watch heading into March.
Duke exploded this week with dominant wins (including a 100‑56 rout and a 77‑51 victory over ranked Virginia), closing in on the top of the NET race.
Bubble drama: Northwestern is making a late push toward March, while USC’s five‑game slide (and Arizona State slipping) has fans nervously watching the NET.

Sports

March 3, 2026 at 6:30 PM