FromJapan

This tweet was quoted on "The DIGEST", a comprehensive sports information site in Japan. https://thedigestweb.com/baseball/detail/id=47273 The title: "Shohei never ceases to impress." The US media praised Shohei Ohtani, who rounded off his career by hitting the 46th HR! "Shohei Ohtani is the undisputed Most Valuable Player in MLB." by THE DIGEST editorial. In the article: Fans and the media are excited about his extraordinary success of this season. Angels specialized media "Halos Heaven" praised, "I don't think we all realize how incredibly fortunate we are to have been able to watch this day in and day out. One of the most incredible seasons in baseball history." "Shohei Ohtani is the undisputed Most Valuable Player in MLB." said AngelsWin.com.

Sorry, it is not possible to copy TV broadcasts contents, remove protection, and publish them on the network as it is a violation of Japanese copyright law.

It was aired on the sports news show "S·1" of the commercial broadcaster JNN TV network at 0:30 AM on October 3, Japan time.

Now, Takahashi is a baseball commentator. He often writes commentary articles and sometimes explains about Ohtani-san at a commercial TV variety show in Japan.

Roki SASAKI joined Chiba Lotte Marines (Pacific league, NPB) in 2020. He accompanied the team during the 2020 season in spite of a non-roster. For a year, the team's policy was to strengthen his body. His uniform number is 17. In the 2021 season, as of Sept. 30, he was 2-2 with a 3.05 ERA. Hirokazu SAWAMURA (Red Sox, 2021) was enrolled in Chiba Lotte Marines for a short period in 2020. Hideki IRABU was also a major leaguer (Yankees, Expos, Rangers) from Chiba.

Ohtani-san finished 2021 season as a pitcher. Plastic document folder (2015) about $4. He finished 2015 season 15–5 with a 2.24 ERA. 15 wins was also his initial goal in 2021 season.

The Japanese headband he wears is called a "hachimaki". The mark in the center of a "hachimaki" is a Japanese original crest named "mon", which symbolizes families and clans of Japanese people. "Mon" are identified with more than 5,000 types. Mon_(emblem) This image is one of the kind of "kikyomon", which are stylized patterns of the flower of the bellflower (Platycodon, "kikyo" in Japanese). From more than 800 years ago, "kikyomon" had been used as clan crests by the several samurai corps. Platycodon and kikyomon The biography of AKECHI Mitsuhide, a samurai general who used "kikyomon", was broadcast on NHK (Japanese public broadcasting) TV as the annual year-long historical drama from last year. Then, "kikyomon" became very familiar.

I heard post-game interview to Ohtani-san in Japanese. He said, "Well, of course I like the fans, and I also like the atmosphere of the team itself. However, more than that, I have a stronger desire to win the game, and I think that makes more sense as a player." From 2:08 to 2:26

The news of Ohtani-san's team season MVP award was on NHK TV (Japanese public broadcasting) at noon Japan time.

Ohtani-san became Barry Bonds.

Ohtani-san played as a pitcher and shortstop when he was in junior high school. When he joined Nippon-Ham Fighters (NPB), manager Kuriyama was thinking of making him as a shortstop like A-Rod, as an option other than 2-way player. In 2018, Ohtani-san mentioned with MLB network interview on this point.

"Wong" means "King" in Cantonese. Cantonese is a language used mainly in Southeastern China and Chinese overseas communities. Kolten Wong (Brewers) is his elder brother.

This is "Shokkiri", which is a presentation that introduces the forbidden play of "sumo" in a funny way. The performers are active professional sumo wrestlers. "Shokkiri" is mainly carried out during philanthropic projects for the purpose of donating to social welfare.

On a shirt, written in Japanese as "Being aware of immaturity is the first step to advanced skill." This phrase is from a Japanese basketball comic (manga series).

Also in Japan, today's game is being broadcast live on YouTube.

Before the opening of this season, Ohtani-san spoke in an interview with Japanese sports media as follows. "As a batter, even if against left-handed pitchers, and if I have a chance at-bat, I think I can hit 30 home runs." "As a pitcher, if I can pitch as a starter in 25 games, I think I can win 15 games." At the end of the interview he added, "If I win 15 games and hit 30 home runs, it's almost an MVP grade." Reference: Sports Graphic NumberWeb posted on September 10, 2021 (in Japanese) https://number.bunshun.jp/articles/-/849727?page=2

In June 2018 when the Angels promoted Fletcher to Major Leagues, there was an introductory article appeared in the Japanese sports media. The outline is: Utility infielder with high batting average He's from Orange County, the home of the Angels Younger brother Dominic is also a baseball player Reference: "Baseball Channel" posted on June 15, 2018 (in Japanese) https://www.baseballchannel.jp/mlb/49490/ Fletcher has become more popular in Japan this year, because Fletcher and Ohtani have formed a leadoff and bat 2nd combination of starting lineup. Also, pictures of his wedding are well known. ------------------------- Although the expression itself, blue-collar, is exist in Japanese just the same, "blue-collar" player, the color expression that represents the characteristics of players in this article, are not used for baseball players in Japan. In Japan, we sometimes use the word "ibushi-gin", a color like antique sterling silver, for another type of the player. "Ibushi-gin player" means a veteran who is not flashy but has the ability to play an active role in important situations.

Even if Maddon's advice to Darvish was very vargue, it could have affected for his pitching.

I would like to see the matchup of Nippon-Ham 's alumni, Darvish and Otani. However, the matchup is realized means that Darvish will probably make a good pitch. This is not a good situation for Angels.

Brand new ballpark is scheduled to open in 2023 From 1:32, many people in OHTANI (number 11) jerseys. From 1:40, a flipped image of Ohtani-san. (Link) HOKKAIDO BALLPARK F VILLAGE