The Six Biggest Rivalries in International Baseball

By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: 31 July 2024

Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer

Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.

See Full Bio

Twitter X

Biggest Rivalries in International Baseball

• Rivalries in World Baseball
• Biggest Rivalry in World Baseball: Cuba vs. USA
• Japan vs. South Korea Showdown
• Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico
• Mexico vs. USA Classic Battles
• Venezuela vs. Puerto Rico Clashes
• Australia vs. Japan Epic Duels

Baseball, often called America’s pastime, may be a sport that you only associate with the United States, but in the last decade or so, it’s been growing around the world exponentially – and today, you’ll find the game played in numerous countries.

Today, we’re going to explore the biggest rivalry in international baseball – looking at the teams that hate one another and why! We’ve picked six of the biggest rivalries, in our opinion – and for each one, we’ve broken them down, looking at the historical reasons behind the rivalry, what memorable moments they produced, and other interesting information.

Rivalries in World Baseball

If you’re interested in learning about rivalries in world baseball, this blog is for you! Today, we’re going to be exploring the biggest rivalries in international baseball, looking at what started them, their historical implications, and more!

To give you a quick overview of what we’ll be covering today, below, you’ll find a table, outlining the teams involved, and a brief overview of the rivalry:

Of course, that’s just a small fraction of the rivalries world baseball gives us – but, in our opinion, these are the most important – and subsequently, they’re the ones we’ve chosen to focus on today in this blog about the biggest rivalries in international baseball.

Biggest Rivalry in World Baseball: Cuba vs. USA

The rivalry between Cuba and the United States is perhaps the biggest rivalry in world baseball, and it has its roots in the early 20th century when baseball started gaining popularity in Cuba. The sport’s rise in popularity was largely influenced by American sailors and expats who brought the game over – and, over time, baseball became a surprisingly popular sport in the country.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Cuba was a regular participant in international tournaments like the Pan American Games and the Amateur World Series. They frequently played games against the US, which became increasingly competitive as the Cold War loomed, and Cuba was faced by a US-led embargo.

The rivalry really took off during the 1980s with the establishment of the Cuban National Series and the USA’s college baseball and minor league systems. The USA vs Cuba series became a key point, and many Cuban players ended up defecting to the US to play in the MLB – a move that sparked outrage in Cuba and was heavily criticized by politicians.

One of the most memorable moments in the rivalry took place in 1999 when the Baltimore Orioles played the Cuban National Team in an exhibition series.

This event was highly symbolic, as it marked the first time an MLB team had played in Cuba since 1959. It was seen, by many, as a groundbreaking event – and was praised, as it was said to help the two countries begin repairing their heavily damaged relationship.

Japan vs. South Korea Showdown

The biggest rivalry in world baseball in Asia is arguably the one between Japan and South Korea. It’s also one of the most heated rivalries – thanks, largely, to the history between the two countries.

The inaugural 2006 World Baseball Classic set the stage for this fierce rivalry, with Japan and South Korea facing off three times during the tournament. Japan ultimately won the championship, but the games were marked by high tension and exceptional skill. This established a competitive dynamic that has continued to this day.

In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, South Korea delivered a significant blow to Japan by defeating them in the semifinals and going on to win the gold medal. This victory was a significant achievement for South Korean baseball and only added to the rivalry.

In 2015, the Premier12 Tournament took place, and while Japan emerged strong in the beginning, South Korea made a stunning comeback, defeating them in the semi-finals.

It’s quite interesting to look at how baseball became so popular in both countries. After US forces occupied Japan after World War 2, the game soon became popular – and in South Korea, while the US didn’t occupy them, there was – and remains to this day – a significant US military presence, which is how the game became so popular.

If you’re interested in Korean baseball betting, don’t forget to check out our recommended baseball bookmakers, many of which offer betting on Korean baseball.

Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico

Baseball is a popular sport in both the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, and the game has rich histories in both countries – along with very dedicated fan bases. Unlike some of the other rivalries we’ve looked at today, this one doesn’t have a historical context, instead developing solely on geographical location.

The Caribbean Series, featuring the champions of the Dominican, Puerto Rican, Mexican, and Venezuelan leagues, has long been a battleground for these two baseball powerhouses. During the 1950s and 1960s, the series saw some incredible matches, with both teams doing everything in their power to be crowned winner!

One of the most memorable moments took place during the 2013 World Baseball Classic, where the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico met in the final. The Dominican team ended up being the winners – but it was a thrilling event, with both sides giving 110% and delivering an outstanding performance to the crowd.

Another memorable moment took place in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Puerto Rico were looking to put their 2013 loss behind them – and they managed to do just that, defeating the Dominican Republic in a thrilling second-round game.

While Puerto Rico didn’t manage to go on to win the championship, the victory against Puerto Rico was enough for them and their passionate fan base. In fact, this one win alone was said to exponentially increase the popularity of the sport in the US territory – and today, baseball remains the most popular sport played there.

Mexico vs. USA Classic Battles

Mexico and the United States share a long border and complex history, and it should come as no surprise that this is reflected in their baseball rivalry. Over the last decade or so, this rivalry has increased exponentially, as the sport’s popularity in Mexico has grown a lot.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Mexico and the USA frequently faced off in the Pan American Games and other international competitions. These games were marked by close contests and mutual respect between the teams. These games also saw significant increases in the number of fans watching the matches.

The 2006 World Baseball Classic saw a significant upset when Mexico defeated the USA in the first round. This victory highlighted the growth and potential of Mexican baseball and was a pivotal moment in the rivalry, signaling that Mexico could compete with the best.

Another memorable clash occurred in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, where Mexico once again defeated the USA in the first round. The game was noted for its dramatic plays and passionate support on both sides, further intensifying the rivalry.

While there have been some political issues between the two countries (mainly related to border control), the baseball rivalry has shown that it is possible for both countries to come together. Unlike some of the other baseball world rivals we’ve covered today, this rivalry is generally based on mutual respect – and it’s actually done a lot for the game!

Venezuela vs. Puerto Rico Clashes

Venezuela and Puerto Rico are two baseball-crazy nations with a deep-rooted passion for the sport. Their rivalry is fueled by their success in international tournaments and the high level of talent that both countries produce. Some baseball experts have even predicted that these two teams will begin giving the USA a run for their money in the near future!

According to most baseball experts, the rivalry between Venezuela and Puerto Rico started during the Caribbean Series in the 1970s and 1980s. These games were highly competitive, with both teams frequently fielding their best players in the hopes of dominating their opponents – and winning.

In the 2006 World Baseball Classic, Venezuela and Puerto Rico faced off in a thrilling second-round game, with Puerto Rico emerging victorious. This game was a highlight of the tournament and showcased not just how capable both teams were, but also how intense the rivalry between them both was!

The 2017 World Baseball Classic saw another very important match between the two teams, with Puerto Rico winning in extra innings. What’s clear about this rivalry is that both teams – and their fans – are incredibly passionate about the game, as well as winning.

However, like some of the biggest baseball rivalries you’ll see when watching the game, this one is a lot more than just trying to win; it’s also about helping the sport to develop in both countries, and, for many professionals, it’s important to inspire future generations of players.

Indeed, it’s also a financial rivalry. Both teams are now starting to enjoy lucrative sponsorship deals, and the broadcasting rights in both countries are also worth a lot of money.

Australia vs. Japan Epic Duels

The baseball rivalry between Australia and Japan is another of the world’s most intense – and it’s also one of the most well-respected, evolving significantly over the past few decades.

Japan’s dominance in baseball, supported by its professional league Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), contrasts with Australia’s newness to the sport – yet despite this, it’s a fantastic rivalry to watch, and when the two teams play one another, it’s usually a fantastic game.

For many, the rivalry started during the World Baseball Classic (WBC) – an event where both teams have, subsequently, clashed numerous times.

For example, in the 2017 WBC, Japan defeated Australia 4-1, and while this result was hardly surprising, the Australian team’s performance was seen as inspiring. They were the underdogs by a long shot, but they never backed down – and gave 110% throughout the entire game.

We’ve also seen this rivalry extend to other international competitions like the Olympics and the Asia-Pacific Baseball Championship. During the 2004 Athens Olympics, for example, Japan took another victory – winning 6-0 over Australia – but Australia’s silver medal finish showed their ability to compete at the highest level.

Additionally, club-level interactions enhance this rivalry. Australian players often join Japanese teams, and this results in many fans traveling internationally to watch their favorite teams and players face off against one another.