TOKYO — Shin Oebori serves as the coach for the Fukagawa Hawks youth baseball team based in Tokyo, and he is keenly aware of the significant impact Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has on the young athletes he trains.
“Kids believe that anything is achievable when they see Ohtani,” Oebori remarked, concluding practice on a dirt field located next to a local Buddhist temple, under an elevated highway, and surrounded by tall apartment buildings in central Tokyo.
“With Ohtani, nothing seems impossible. A dream transforms into reality,” he continued, stepping outside the fenced practice area which is designed to keep stray baseballs from landing on temple grounds. Although the young players have yet to hit any balls onto the highway, they remain enthusiastic about their training.
The fascination with Ohtani fluctuates throughout Japan, but the iconic blue Dodgers caps have become the prominent choice of sportswear, surpassing the old favorites featuring the Yankees.
While Japan boasts several renowned athletes on the international sports scene, such as golfer Hideki Matsuyama, boxer Naoya Inoue, and tennis star Naomi Osaka, none can rival Ohtani’s popularity—even his teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who recently outperformed Yu Darvish in a victorious outing against the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series.
The peak of Ohtani’s fame occurred when Japan claimed victory in the World Baseball Classic approximately 20 months ago, triumphing over the United States. His star power saw another rise with the announcement of his monumental 10-year, $700-million contract as he transitions from the Angels to the Dodgers for the 2024 season.
There was a brief dip in his popularity in March when Ohtani was associated with a gambling controversy, but prosecutors later found no evidence linking him to any wrongdoing.
Currently, a new wave of excitement is building as Ohtani competes alongside Yamamoto in the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets. Should the Dodgers advance to the World Series, Japan is likely to set up public viewing areas for fans, with most games airing in the early morning hours local time.
The time difference between Tokyo and New York is 13 hours, while it stretches to 16 hours between Tokyo and Los Angeles.
During practice, Yukako Takahashi watched her 10-year-old son Haruka, and she emphasized the profound influence Ohtani has on young athletes like him.
“He inspires everyone,” she stated. “The kids are curious about how he maintains such an incredible spirit. To them, he is nothing short of a perfect idol.”
Although she does not regularly watch Ohtani’s games from the US, she keeps up with his achievements through local news, where he often features as the leading story, far beyond just sports updates.
Takahashi anticipated that interest would surge in Ohtani and the Dodgers if they reach the World Series later this month.
Moreover, she mentioned that Ohtani represents hope for many in Japan, especially amid challenging economic conditions.
“The economy is struggling right now,” she pointed out. “Things are tough, but Ohtani’s success brings hope to us all.”