Special editions rolled off newspaper printing presses and Japanese fans who had taken time off work to watch the World Baseball Classic final celebrated their team’s victory over South Korea yesterday.
Workers crammed into bars and restaurants in Tokyo and other cities to watch the game which started at 10.30am local time yesterday.
Electronics stores selling big screen TVs were turned into public viewing galleries as the baseball-crazy nation stopped to watch as Japan defended its title.
“To defend the title and do it against South Korea is a great feeling,” said Soichiro Tabata, an office worker who watched the game at a Tokyo sports bar. “I took an extra-long lunch break but I think I’ll get away with it today.”
Seattle Mariners star Ichiro Suzuki, one of five major leaguers on Japan’s team, delivered the key hit with a two-out, two-run single in the top of the 10th inning.
“Leave it to Ichiro,” fitness instructor Junji Hasegawa said after watching the game. “He started out slow in this tournament but came through when it counted most.”
Mass circulation newspaper Mainichi Shimbun printed a special afternoon edition with a headline recounting it simply: “Japan defends title, winning hit by Ichiro.”
On the inside page, the Mainichi outlined “Road to the final for the 29 Samurai” — Samurai being the widely adopted nickname for the team.
Yomiuri Giants pitcher Seth Greisinger, who has pitched for professional teams in both Japan and South Korea, said the Koreans have improved greatly in recent years, but Japan still has the edge over their Asian rivals.
“As you saw from this game, both countries are very competitive but I would say Japan still has a slight edge in terms of depth,” Greisinger said.
In Seoul, thousands skipped work and school to watch a large-screen broadcast of the game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, tossing confetti, waving banners bearing the names of their favorite players and chanting through the championship.
“I hope I won’t get into too much trouble for missing my lecture,’’ said Jang Hyun-shik, a 24-year-old Seoul university student who skipped a morning class to watch the game.
Across the capital, business came to a standstill as workers crowded around TV sets to watch the game, with shouts of joy echoing around each time South Korea scored a run.
The loss to Japan was a blow but many Koreans were quick to praise their baseball team.
“What a shame! It could have been such a morale-booster for South Koreans,” said Kim Jin-hee, a 47-year-old housewife. “But those young men fought so hard for the country. Good job.”
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