FromJapan

Translation of Ohtani's answer from the post-game interview. Q: Did the condition of your finger affect you as the game went on? A: Overall, things didn't go as planned. It sometimes happens like that, but lately it's been like that for a long time. Q: It seems that your right middle finger is not completely healed. What about your next pitch? A: I haven't discussed when I'll be on the mound yet. I think it can be scheduled depending on the situation tomorrow, so I'll check it out at that time. Reference in Japanese: Full Count (Japanese online sports media)

I translated Ohtani's answer from the post-game interview. "First of all, not letting the bat hit the ball is the most efficient way to get an out. So, if the ball rolls in the infield, that kind of thing will happen. No one wants to make an error. We have to do what we can." Reference in Japanese: Full Count (Japanese online sports media)

NHK has a total of 6 channels of 2 terrestrial and 4 satellite broadcasting. Two of the satellite channels are broadcasts in ultra-high definition. Most MLB broadcasts, including Angels games, are done via satellite. Tonight (Saturday morning in Japan)'s game is broadcast on terrestrial, as it is the first day of three consecutive holidays in Japan and Ohtani is the starting pitcher of the first game after All-Star. As satellite broadcasting contracts with NHK are optional, terrestrial broadcasting has overwhelmingly more viewers.

Reference in Japanese: The Shizuoka Shimbun (Local newspaper in Japan) April 16,2023 According to the article above, "Starting April 24, ads for this company will appear every home game throughout the season at Angel Stadium. The sponsorship agreement will continue beyond this season." "In addition to the west coast, where TV commercials have already been aired, the program began airing in 6 states on the east coast in April." ----- Churu appeared at the home stadium of the Los Angeles Angels, which belongs to the 2-way player Shohei Ohtani! In addition, the music of Churu, which is familier with its TV commercials, will be played in the stadium. Let's support Ohtani with cats It is unknown what will happen if Ohtani moves to another team.

According to the results of the survey in June 2022, the audience rating for the Angels' games on NHK satellite broadcasting (NHK-BS) was just over 1%. The number of contracts for NHK-BS in 2022 was 22.67 million, so the actual number of viewers is just over 200,000. AbemaTV, one of the Japanese online TV stations, had over 17.5 million views of MLB games in July 2021. There were many free broadcasts of Angels' games among MLB on AbemaTV and Ohtani had hit many home runs in June 2021. It is estimated that the avarage number of free viewers of the each Angels' game was estimated to be close to 1 million. There are also other online TVs with MLB coverage in Japan, and there must be overlapping viewers, it can be said that around 1 million people are watching the broadcast of the each Angels' game in Japan. References in Japanese: Results of the 2022 National Individual Viewership Survey in Japan (PDF) Number of pay/multi-channel broadcasting contracts in Japan Abema TV Views

BayStars defeated 4 to 5 to the Hanshin Tigers (July 12 JST) and he got a no-decision as a SP. 7.1 P, 113 NP, 6 H, 1 HR, 4 BB, 4 ER ----- He came out on top in the fan votes to add one last player for NPB All-Star game. He was finally elected.

Sorry for next season's topic... It has become a hot topic among Japanese fans especially Nippon-Ham Fighters fans, such as, "Can we watch Ohtani and Darvish play in Korea?" It takes around two and a half hours by plane from Tokyo to Seoul. Only an hour and a half from Fukuoka, a big city in western Japan. Link: MLB WORLD TOUR TO VISIT FOUR COUNTRIES IN 2024

The following articles were quoted in the Japanese media. Alex Cobb on Ohtani: ‘He’s coming to San Francisco’ (Paywalls) San Francisco Chronicle The Mercury News

When asked if Ohtani had been approached about a transfer by a player from another team, he replied, "秘密です。Himitsu desu." The direct translation of "Himitsu desu." is "It's a secret." If translated freely, his answer will be, "I cannot give you an answer at the moment.", or "Sorry, no comment.".

He got 4 wins in June.

For All-Star Break... When Ohtani hits a home run, he often kisses his left hand glove as he crosses on the home plate. This routine has sparked various speculations in the Japanese media (and female fans? -- Isn't that a kiss on the ring finger?).

Yamamoto had first complete game (125 NP, 13 K) of this season, got 8th win on July 8, 2023 (JST). Stats in English: Yamamoto, Yoshinobu (NPB Official Page) His team won the Pacific League in 2021 and 2022 and the Japan Series in 2022, mainly due to the contributions of Yamamoto and Yoshida (Red Sox). In 2017, the year before Ohtani joined the Angels, he played against Yamamoto. At that time, his evaluation of Yamamoto was, "He throws the best pitch I've played against this year." Reference in Japanese: https://bravy.net/yamamoto-yoshinobu/685/

Dodger Stadium Pregame Tour in Japanese is being held on July 7th and 8th. This is only for this two games against the Angels this year, but it is scheduled to be held next year. This year, the Dodgers employed two new Japanese staffers. One of them said, "If 'he' joins the team next year, we will definitely be busy." Link: Dodger Stadium Tours Reference in Japanese: Full Count (Japanese online baseball media) on July 8, 2023

"Searching For Shohei: An Interview Special", a program where Ben Verlander interviewed Ohtani, will be broadcast on NHK satellite broadcasting on July 14th. Reference: BS world documentary (NHK page in Japanese) It's already published on YouTube.

On July 7th (Japan time), the following ranking was featured on Japanese TV news program.

On July 6th (Japan time), the game was broadcast both on a local TV program (TV Kanagawa) and via satellite. I'm not a BayStars fan, but I watched Bauer's pitch on TV by chance. I got the impression that he is the type of skillful pitcher with good control. He had complete game, got 6th win. 9 IP, 128 NP, 4 H, 0 HR, 7 K, 3 BB, 2 ER He got three strikeouts in a row in the sixth inning.

He saw at a close distance.

Although his true intentions are unknown, Ohtani doesn't seem to have given up on making the postseason yet. He is careful not to say anything that could lead to unnecessary speculation in interviews. Reference in Japanese: Ohtani's post-game press conference NHK Sports on July ４ (July ５ JST) Q: As the number of injuries increased, so did the number of game losses. Is this the season's crux? A: I think the next few games before the All-Star break are the most important. If we can win those games in a good way, I’m certain that we can still do well.

(Japan Standard Time) Happy 29th birthday, Ohtani-san!

The tweet below was quoted in Japanese online media. (A translation of the relevant part) The local media are also amazed at Ohtani, showing at an inhuman level. The official Twitter of the local media "AngelsWin.com" posted a video of his home run and twitted, "SHO-TIME!! Home Run #31 for Shohei Ohtani." Corresponding page: First half of the first paragraph on the 2nd page of CoCoKARA Next on July 3 2023 (JST)

According to Japanese sports media coverage, in the Angels game at Dodger Stadium on July 8th, Rui Hachimura will throw out a ceremonial first pitch in honor of Japanese Heritage Night. He was a pitcher when he was in elementary school. His pitches were too fast for catchers to catch, and he turned catcher himself. His first name, Rui, means "baseball base" in Japanese.

NHK reported Moniak's response to the interview.

BayStars vs Chunichi Dragons at Yokohama Stadium on July 1, 2023 (JST) Bauer wearing a Pikachu helmet at the plate He got a no-decision ended in a draw (2-2) to the Dragons (July 1 JST). 6 IP, 105 NP, 10 H, 0 HR, 6 K, 2 BB, 1 ER

There are 11 Japanese players (excluding staff) who have got the World Series ring so far. 3 of them got 2 rings. Hideo Nomo (LAD and others) and Ichiro (SEA and others) couldn't get it, despite their long and stellar MLB careers. Will Ohtani be able to get the ring?