TOKYO.- Japan This Monday celebrated a “golden age” for baseball in that country, led by Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamotoafter both were key figures in the two-time championship of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.
Yamamoto, in particular, turned in one of the most notable pitching performances in Fall Classic history, coming out of the bullpen in the decisive seventh game to lead the Dodgers to a thrilling 5-4 extra-inning victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Toronto Blue Jays.
The 27-year-old pitcher’s heroic performance came less than 24 hours after he threw 96 pitches as a starter in Game 6, which had tied the series.
It was a feat that defied both logic and baseball conventions—elite pitchers typically rest several days after a long performance—and earned him the title of World Series Most Valuable Player.
Yamamoto even overshadowed his compatriot and teammate Ohtani in media coverage in Japan.
The pitcher, described by a teammate as “a psychopath” for his resistance, made the front pages of the main national newspapers.
“Yoshinobu Yamamoto, MVP. Maximum driving force behind the Dodgers’ two-time championship,” was the headline in the traditional business daily Nikkei.
The Sanyo Shimbun, from Yamamoto’s hometown of Okayama Prefecture, dedicated most of its front page to its hometown hero and the Dodgers’ triumph.
“Cultivating a golden age with Ohtani and Sasaki,” said one of its headlines.
Takaichi showers praise
The Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan’s best-selling newspaper, published a special digital edition on Sunday afternoon.
The Dodgers became the first team in 25 years to win two consecutive World Series, and with Yamamoto, Ohtani and Roki Sasaki in their ranks, they are closely followed by Japanese fans.
In fact, the Dodgers are probably more familiar to Japanese fans than many teams from their own country.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a big baseball fan, wrote in
When U.S. President Donald Trump visited Japan last week, Takaichi said the two leaders managed to watch part of the World Series before starting their formal talks.
Takaichi is a passionate fan of the Hanshin Tigers, who made it to the Japan Series but lost to the SoftBank Hawks.
“Although my beloved Hanshin Tigers missed out on the Japan Series title, as someone who firmly believes in the resilience of Japan and its people, the outstanding achievements of our overseas players are truly encouraging news,” he wrote on X.
