Two home runs by Shohei Ohtani (LA Angels) are raising the mood of the Japanese national team mercilessly.
On the 6th, Ohtani started as the designated hitter in the official evaluation match of the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) against Hanshin held at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka, Japan, and scored 2 hits, 6 RBIs and 2 runs in 3 at-bats, leading Japan to an 8-1 victory.
Starter Hiroki Saiki’s forkball from 2 outs 1st and 2nd base in the top of the 3rd inning, and Tomida Ren’s high fastball from second pitcher Ren Tomida in the top of the 5th inning from 2nd out 1st and 2nd base, each hit a 3-run home run.
Japan, which has been paying attention to Ohtani’s every move even before the tournament, is excited when Ohtani shows off his power with home runs in consecutive hits from the practice game. In particular, when he hit his first home run, he got down on his left knee and hit it almost with one hand as if he was out of balance, when he hit his second home run, his bat broke, and even the ‘Pepper Mill Ceremony’ Ohtani did after hitting the home run, everything is a hot topic.
Hanshin coach Akinobu Okada said, “He is a player of a different level. His first home run was also a ball, and he connected it with a mid-month home run. The dimension is different. (Because I play in the United States) I won’t have to deal with Ohtani in official matches in the future, so isn’t it okay?” he laughed. 먹튀검증
Japan’s ‘Nikkan Sports’ also reported the reaction of Hotaka Yamakawa (Seibu) of the national team who watched Ohtani’s home run, saying, “The Pacific League’s home run king was also surprised by these two shots.” Yamakawa is a Japanese giant gun that Korean players should be wary of as he struck a decisive blow against Korea at the Tokyo Olympics. Regarding Ohtani’s home run, Yamakawa said, “What can I say? I really want to quit baseball. It’s really boring,” he said. It’s to the point where I don’t feel like we’re playing the same game.”
Major League star Ohtani moved to Japan, drawing attention as a VIP-class traveler accompanied by a chartered plane and helicopter. After joining the national team, he plays a central role in creating an external atmosphere for the Japanese national team, such as holding a team dinner and posting group photos on social media to be covered in the media. Then, with Ohtani’s two large homers right after the start of the practice game, Japan’s expectations are boiling right before the tournament.