Curt Smith led his Netherlands baseball team to a World Cup championship over Cuba in October, earning tournament MVP honors along the way, as named by the International Baseball Federation (IBAF).

The Saltdogs power utility man hit .351 with three home runs and 13 RBI in 11 games en route to leading the Dutch squad to its first World Cup title.

The Netherlands went 11-1 in the 2011 World Cup, held in Panama, toppling world power Cuba 2-1 in the championship game. It was the first time a European club won the event since 1938 (Britain, in a two-team field).

Canada finished in third place and the United States took fourth.

Smith hit .335 with nine home runs and 48 RBI in 78 games for the Saltdogs in 2011.

The Baseball World Cup is held every two years. The Unites States won the previous two titles. Cuba wore the crown from 1984 to 2005.