World Baseball Classic Kicks Off in Tokyo
In Tokyo, the excitement is palpable as the World Baseball Classic kicks off, with all eyes on Shohei Ohtani. The star athlete’s likeness is prominently featured throughout the Tokyo Dome, and fans can find a plethora of Ohtani jerseys, priced around $125, in the nearby merchandise area.
Japan’s Team and Tournament Prospects
Japan’s team is set to commence its campaign on Friday against Taiwan, joining South Korea, Australia, and the Czech Republic in Group C. As reigning champions, Japan is favored to secure a quarterfinal spot in the tournament taking place in the United States.
Ohtani’s Performance and Team Dynamics
Despite the buzz, Ohtani chose to forgo batting practice on Wednesday, leaving a throng of eager fans disappointed. Since arriving back to Japan, he has gone hitless in five attempts during exhibition matches against local league teams. In a recent media session conducted in Japanese, the 31-year-old Ohtani expressed his sentiment about the youthful dynamics of the team, stating:
“Every time I join (the Japanese team) there are younger and younger players. So I feel I’m getting old.”
Potential Rematch and Ohtani’s Role
Japan’s strong prospects for advancing through the tournament could set the stage for a rematch against the United States in the championship game in Miami. The last encounter was a memorable one; Japan triumphed 3-2, with Ohtani striking out Mike Trout in the final moments, significantly raising the profile of the WBC in the process.
For this edition of the WBC, Ohtani is primarily expected to focus on batting, with the Los Angeles Dodgers keen to preserve his pitching duty for the MLB season. However, he teased the possibility of taking the mound, saying:
“It’s hard to say. But if (Mike) Trout shows up, it’s tempting.”
Unfortunately for Ohtani, Trout will not be available for Team USA this time, due to complications involving insurance that have sidelined several top players.
Australia’s Rising Star and Japan’s Lineup
In addition to Ohtani, Australia’s lineup will feature Travis Bazzana at second base. Bazzana was the first overall selection in the 2024 MLB draft by the Cleveland Guardians, marking a historic milestone for Australian baseball. He admires Ohtani, stating:
“I personally believe he is the greatest of all time. He epitomizes the work ethic and mastering his craft in baseball. However, when we hit the field, our focus needs to be on the game, not just on the star player.”
Japan’s offensive strength boasts a lineup filled with talent, including major leaguers like Munetaka Murakami, Kazuma Okamoto, and Seiya Suzuki. However, the pitching roster has faced some challenges, with prominent players like Roki Sasaki, Shota Imanaga, and Yu Darvish not returning from last year. The ace of the pitching staff remains Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a World Series MVP and teammate of Ohtani on the Dodgers.
Manager’s Perspective
As the Australian manager Dave Nilsson, a former all-star catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, put it:
“It’s a chance to go up against the best team in the world and it’s a special event facing Ohtani. It’s going to be a significant moment for fans and for Japan, but we’re not going to be distracted by the spectacle around us.”
