TOKYO (AP) — The Major League Baseball season kicks off with a thrilling matchup between the World Series victors, the Dodgers, and the Chicago Cubs at the Tokyo Dome. While this is just the start with only two games, the MLB regular season typically spans close to 2,500 games.
This season holds special significance for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, a Japan native, and for the five Japanese players, including Shohei Ohtani, competing for the Dodgers and Cubs.
MLB has chosen to launch its regular season in the Asian market for the second consecutive year, following last year’s games in Seoul, South Korea, where the Dodgers and San Diego Padres faced off. The event was marred by a betting scandal involving Ohtani’s interpreter.
Reflecting on the current era for Japanese players in the U.S., Ohtani shared, “It’s hard to say if this is the golden age, considering the players who paved the way before me. However, having five Japanese players is significant.”
Excited for the upcoming games, Ohtani expressed his anticipation for enjoying good food, overcoming jetlag, and savoring the game.
Roberts, with his Japanese heritage, eagerly anticipates reconnecting with his roots as he expects relatives from Okinawa to be in attendance. The time difference poses a challenge for fans in Japan and the U.S., but the enthusiasm for the games remains high.
The Dodgers’ pitchers, Yamamoto and Sasaki, are set to shine against the Cubs. Their presence, along with Ohtani’s, has helped the Dodgers gain popularity in Japan.
As the players relish being back home, Ohtani is focused on his pitching comeback after a season off due to elbow surgery. Sasaki, a promising talent, is determined to prove himself in his new Dodgers uniform.
Overall, the excitement is palpable as the Japanese stars gear up for an unforgettable start to the MLB season.
Japanese media reported that Ishiba stated, “Japan.” The Cubs celebrated with Imanaga and Suzuki at a party, with Cubs manager Craig Counsell noting the welcoming atmosphere for the team’s first visit. Counsell was impressed by the large tuna that was ceremonially carved up, providing sashimi and sushi for all attendees. Reflecting on the trip to Japan, Counsell emphasized the concept of “kizuna,” meaning bonding in Japanese, which he learned from his Japanese players. The party was seen as a great start to fostering team camaraderie during the visit.
