Yesterday morning in Japan began with a palpable buzz after the Los Angeles Dodgers announced Shohei Ohtani would start Game 7 of the World Series.
By the time countryman Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered the final out, Tokyo was erupting with joy.
“I am so proud today to be Japanese,” said cab driver Seiichiro Okada, who pulled his car to the side of the road to watch the ending. “To be able to watch these legends in real time is something else.”
Photo: AP
Ohtani had two hits and also pitched, while Yamamoto earned World Series Most Valuable Player after yet another stellar pitching performance as the Dodgers repeated as champions by beating the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in 11 innings.
Los Angeles trailed 3-0 and 4-2, but rallied with a tying homer from Miguel Rojas in the ninth inning and a tiebreaking homer by Will Smith in the 11th.
“I thought it was over for a second, but it was great,” said Hiroshi Hoshii, who was visibly teary-eyed.
Hoshii was among a big crowd of baseball fans spilling out into the street from Hub, a Tokyo fish-and-chips restaurant with several large screens where the game was shown live.
After the Dodgers’ victory, cheering people wearing Ohtani No. 17 jerseys broke out in dance at the Hub. They were among the millions of Japanese celebrating the Game 7 victory.
The win was especially sweet for the residents of Iwate Prefecture’s Oshu, Ohtani’s hometown.
“Thank you for the great game. Thank you. I am so moved,” said Yoshiyuki Kosaka, an Oshu resident and Ohtani fan.
Oshu Mayor Jun Kuranari said he was looking forward to more achievements from Ohtani.
“He is greatly respected around the world as a superstar not only for his baseball, but for his character. He is definitely the pride and joy of this town,” Kuranari said.
Baseball fans in Japan say they had watched every game, even those who came home after working night shifts. Delivery workers said they watched whenever they could on their trucks.
Ohtani has been a star in baseball-mad Japan since he was an amateur, and his likeness is everywhere, including on ads for sneakers, cosmetics, electronics and more.
Fans are proud of his extraordinary two-way prowess — he is one of the sport’s best hitters and also a dominant pitcher.
However, people also note his character, pointing to his unpretentious and friendly behavior in the dugout. There is a sense that he always remembers his Japanese roots, speaking in Japanese in interviews and addressing his fans.
His wife, former professional basketball player Mamiko, as well as their dog, Decoy, routinely make headlines. Their daughter, born earlier this year, is already big news, starting with Ohtani’s announcement of the birth on Instagram, complete with a photo of her tiny feet.
However, Yamamoto stole the show in the World Series. He pitched a rare complete game in a Game 2 victory, then won Games 6 and 7 with gutsy, back-to-back performances that easily earned him Series MVP honors.
Kowa Minami, a waiter at the Hub, said he could not let it on which team he is cheering for, as some of the customers were clearly rooting for the Blue Jays.
“But to be honest I like the Dodgers because they have Japanese players,” he said.
The Dodgers have riveted many in Japan, including Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. During a meeting several days ago with US President Donald Trump, she told reporters the game was on and so they watched a bit together.
“The Dodgers are winning,” she said.
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