FromJapan

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?

Bauer was 2nd in NPB all-star game fan voting final result on June 28 (JST). His recent win streak boosted the vote count. Reference in Japanese: Fan voting final result (NPB Official Site)

Reference: Ohtani's post-game press conference NHK Sports On June 27 (June 28 Japan Standard Time) Q. It's still June, but how do you feel about the fans calling you "MVP"? A. I've also been called in 2021, so it feels good whenever I'm called, and I'm grateful for the support.

In large cities with NPB teams, the number of young female fans has been increasing than decades ago, as teams have been working to attract and favor female fans. However, in other regions where there are no teams nearby, women who are interested in professional baseball are rare. Focusing on generational preferences, in younger generation, popularity is divided among other sports such as soccer and basketball, and even the proportion of male baseball fans is not very high. The WBC has made many Japanese women who had never been interested in baseball learned Shohei Ohtani's name, but most of them do not have any further knowledge or interest. I was shocked while watching the WBC live broadcast that a female guest said, "I just learned that a player named Mike Trout is on the same MLB team as Ohtani."

NHK aired Erica's interview with Ohtani with Ippei.

Ohtani seems to have cracked his nail?

Recently, in Japanese media articles, Ohtani has been often referred to as "Mr. June (June Guy)".

Ohtani has reduced the number of slider (sweeper) pitches and has been throwing more four-seam fastballs, since on June 9.

Rice Paddy Art in Oshu-city, Ohtani's hometown A draft of the artwork is designed by using computer modeling that corrected according to the perspective from the observatory near the paddy. Then the piles as the markers are driven into the paddy according to the draft. Varieties of rice with a different size and a particular hue are planted in the appropriate sections. Artworks of 2018 (2 photos on the right) and 2019 (on the left) The Japanese word in the paddy is the local dialect means means "OUR ". This year, a new artwork created for the first time in four years, as it was suspended due to the spread of COVID-19.

As of June 19, Bauer was third in fan voting in the starting pitcher division. Reference in Japanese: Fan vote Interim announcement (NPB Official Site)

Bauer was the winning pitcher on June 25th (Japan Standard Time). 6.1 IP, 114 NP, 7 H, 0 HR, 7 K, 3 BB, 3 ER He went 5-2 (Win-Lose).

Reference: Ohtani's post-game press conference NHK Sports on June 21 (June 22 JST) Q. You were scouted eagerly by the Dodgers in high school. Do you see the Dodgers as a special opponent or have any special feelings? A. I am of course grateful to the teams that warmly invited me when I came to the United States, not only the Dodgers. However, as far as pitching and batting are concerned, the position of being an opponent is consistent. So I want to do what I have to do well no matter whichever team is the opponent. Q. There is an expectation among Dodgers fans that you will be transferred next year. Have you heard any such topics? A. Well... As I'm currently in the season and I'd like to concentrate on (every game during) the season, I'm leaving it to my agent. Speaking for myself, I want to focus on the season.

Reference: Ohtani's post-game press conference (NHK Sports in Japanese) (Sorry for my rough translation) On June 17 (June 18 Japan Standard Time) I'm glad I could hit a milestone 150th home run. I will do my best to hit the 151st tomorrow. On June 18 (June 19 JST) Q. It was the first home run from Greinke, a veteran pitcher for the Royals. A. Well, the situation became better, so I was honestly happy. It was my turn at bat with no outs and a man on second, so it would be nice if I could somehow get the runner to advance. Two strikes were taken, but it turned out to be a home run. I think it was good that I was able to make accurate contact with the ball. Q. Was it because your batting was good that you were able to hit the winning shot of the pitcher who has been elusive until now (4 hits in 19 at-bats, no homeruns before this game)? A. Well, I agree. I think he's a smart pitcher. He properly creates his own plot to the game. As I haven't been able to hit much until now, I'm glad I hit a home run. Q. You hit the 150th home run in yesterday's game. You are second only to Hideki Matsui in all-time home runs by a Japanese player in the MLB. What do you think about the record as a milestone, as you hit 151st home run today? A. Same as my comment yesterday. I hope to accumulate home run records one by one.

0:22- "Kono barbecue wa iidesune!" Will this ”Japanese words” appear again in the game on the 18th? Ohtani's comment after this game, "I will do my best to hit the 151st tomorrow."

Ichiro's retirement press conference after the second game of the MLB opening series (Mariners vs. Athletics) held at Tokyo Dome on March 21, 2019 (YouTube in Japanese) Ichiro's retirement press conference ------ Ichiro's comments on Ohtani From 58:16 - Shohei should heal his injuries properly. His scale is also physically large, and he is not inferior in size to American players at all. No one else can do that agility at his size. For that reason alone...He should become the best player in the world. Hmm... From 1:13:20 - It's a regret that I couldn't face Ohtani in a game. I wanted to play as a pitcher against the batter Shohei. Please do not misunderstand (LOL). If he could do both as a pitcher and as a hitter, one season as a pitcher and the next as a hitter, then win the Cy Young Award and home run title. Normally we can't even think of that. But Shohei makes people imagine that. Even at this point, I think he is clearly a different player. I think that 2-way style I mentioned is interesting for me. You, the reporters, look unconvinced with my predictions. If he has a season where he wins 20 games as a pitcher, and the next year he hits 50 homeruns and win the MVP, he is so to say a monster. But it's not unimaginable. That's how I think. ------ References in Japanese: Ichiro's retirement press conference (Yahoo Japan News on March 22, 2019) CoCoKARA Next (Japanese Online Magazine)

Ohtani understands himself that his heyday will not last so long. His line in a watch commercial from June 9, 2023 in Japan. (Youtube in Japanese) "Enjoy the time of challenge." 30 seconds version I will leave the mound someday. I will leave the batter’s box someday. The last day will come definitely. That's why I want to enjoy the challenge of getting better until that day. Keep Going Foward PROSPEX SEIKO ------ A longer version, recorded before the season, which is more specific about "awareness of limited time as a player", is available on Youtube. (Youtube in Japanese) Shohei Ohtani Interview 2023 (I translate freely of the relevant parts.) Awareness of how to use time My position in the team, or as a player, comes with increased responsibility. I have more things to do, and I have to be in good shape to face the season. Since I've been in America for many years, I've become able to calculate how to use my time to the future. I think most important thing is to to stay in top shape. Awareness of limited time as a player In a limited amount of time, bringing both physical and technical skills to the peak at the same time is quite difficult to engage, and I think there is no much time. Of course, the time spent in active at the forefront of the player is short, furthermore the peak time is even less. At that peak time, I don't think there is much time left for bringing my highest point as high as possible. There are times when I'm impatient, but these times are also like fun. I love training and practice, because I think it's a half hobby. If I can do things that I couldn't do before, such as being able to carry a weight, or to do the motion, I think these will be an encouragement. ------ This year (2023), Seiko may not make Ohtani-Angels watch with Ohtani's number "17" and the city code of Anaheim, presumably due to his trade risks. Reference: 2022 Seiko Astron Nexter Ohtani model (JapanToday in English) ------ Addendum as of July 16, 2023 Link: Seiko Announces A Limited Edition Prospex Diver Collab With MLB Star Shohei Ohtani: The SBDC191

He pitched on 4 days rest and scored 4th win, which was a complete-game against Hokkaido NipponHam Fighters on June 14 JST. 9 IP, 113 NP, 3 H, 1 HR, 12 K, 1 BB, 1 ER

This has been reported by some online media in Japan.

4 cushions tonight.

Reference in Japanese: NHK Sports Above page, partially using Google AI Bard, I translated freely Ohtani's post-game press conference on June 12 (June 13 Japan Standard Time). Q: You've been at the plate well recently, how was tonight? A: My batting eye was good tonight and I got good results. Q: How do you interpret the current situation of the team? A: All of us are really motivated for the 4-game series on the road, so winning the first game will give us momentum. Q: How did you feel when you hit the game-tying and go-ahead home runs? A: Well, I was really happy because the situations I hit were good, as the first game is important. The relievers and the defense also did a great job, so I'm glad we were able to win. Q: You are the leading American League in the first update for the 2023 All-Star Game voting. A: I really appreciate it and I want to keep doing my best so that I can continue to be worthy of it. Q: You've been hitting generally well in June every year, but what are the reasons for that? A: I think there were good or bad situations in April and May. But basically, the points that need to be improved of my batting will get better as the season goes on, including getting used to plate appearance. It's just a coincidence that I'm having a good June, but I want to keep working hard to improve my batting even more to the important time before the All-Star Game.

NHK aired Erica's interview with Ohtani (and Ippei).

Loup is the hero tonight.