Ohtani and Yamamoto conquer (again) the United States

Shohei Ohtani y Yoshinobu Yamamoto They have conquered US territory together… for the second time… they did it in 2023 with the Japan national team in it World Baseball Classic and they did it again in 2024 with Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.

Together but with different profiles, Ohtani and Yamamoto have repeated history, making Japan fully aware of what was happening in the diamonds of the United States, just as it happened in March 2023… but now it was because both players were protagonists of the title of the ninth angelina.

People gathered around train stations in Tokyo on Thursday morning as newspapers were ready to roll off the presses, proclaiming Ohtani and Yamamoto as champions of the Fall Classic, an image that had lived out 19 months earlier when Japan won. the World Classic in Miami.

“I want to thank my Japanese fans for following me all the way this season,” Ohtani said on Japanese television. “Those encouragements gave me some energy, so I’m grateful to pay it forward by winning.”

Free newspaper distribution is a tradition in Tokyo when Japan celebrates a big event. And this is a huge one for a country whose players were once considered too small, or only good pitchers. Now, there is strong pride in the fact that their players are among the best in the sport.

WORLD CLASSIC CHAMPIONS… TO WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS

On March 21, 2023 in the United States (March 22 in Japan), the Japanese experienced one of the most historic moments for them in sports when Shohei Ohtani ponchó a Mike Trout in the ninth inning to win the World Baseball Classic title.

That strikeout began an extensive celebration on the field at loadDepot Park in Miami and throughout Japan, as the Japanese team won the crown by beating the United States National Team 3-2, a victory shared by two players: Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

At that moment another sign of Japan’s power in the “American pastime” was given, appearing in an American city to beat the US team with stars known in the USA as Shohei Ohtani and others unknown… but now extremely popular.

After that historic victory, Ohtani returned with Los Angeles Angels to participate in the 2023 MLB Season, while Yamamoto returned to Japan to join the Onix Buffaloes.

But the end of 2023 was nothing short of spectacular when it became official Ohtani and Yamamoto were going to play together again but this time it would be with an MLB team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, after both were signed as free agents.

OHTANI AND YAMAMOTO CONTRACTS WITH THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS

• Shohei Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract
• Yoshinobu Yamamoto signed a 12-year, $325 million contract

And no one imagined that those pair of players were going to stop Japan again just 19 months after the spectacular victory in the World Baseball Classic, but not with the “Japan” shirt but with the Dodgers… and that in addition, they were going to be in front of New York Yankees.

Yamamoto became one of the starters for the Los Angeles ninth and Ohtani the team’s designated hitter (since the elbow injury that forced him to undergo Tommy John surgery, which prevents him from pitching but not hitting), and Together they collaborated throughout the campaign to help the Dodgers reach the playoffs and finish in the World Series… and right in this event, both paralyzed their country and became the stars again.

And to show the impact that the two Japanese Dodger players had, you only have to review the television rating report that was presented in both the United States and Japan for Game 2, where Yamamoto was the starting pitcher:

AVERAGE VIEWERS

• United States: 13.8 million
• Japan: 15.9 million

Yes, they not only occupy the front pages of newspapers nor are they the topic to follow on the news, Shohei Ohtani y Yoshinobu Yamamoto They caused 12% of the total population of Japan to follow Game 2 of the Fall Classic, which due to the time change was broadcast at 9 in the morning. Seventh Entry

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