So it’s official that the Japanese trio Yamamoto, Ohtani, and Sasaki will play for the Dodgers. Although it was expected that Sasaki would join, now it’s a dream-come-true moment for Dodgers fans. It is something positive for MLB as well as attracting top Japanese talents every season. But how the fans, in general, are reacting? Well not so positive! If the recent social media comments from the fans can be considered, then it’s just their pettiness getting exposed.

Yes, the overall baseball culture in the US is very involving and passionate, and hate messages were also evident in different cases but attacking someone’s origin or death wishes is something not common. But, now the reunion of the Japanese trio has exposed the toxic fandom and social media is getting flooded with such petty comments. Let’s dive into some of these comments and see how they are leaving bad reputations for the entire American sports community. 

Starting of a petty fandom

Just a few hours ago, the official MLB page announced the reunion of the Japanese trio with the Dodgers over their X account. It is surely exciting news but bombarded with negative comments from the fans. Yes, there are a few comments where the fans shared their frustration over this decision of Roki Sasaki but some others have just crossed the line. “Change the name to Los Angeles Kamikaze,” said one fan referring to the relationship between the Japanese players and the Kamikazes used by the Japanese against the US in WWII. Now, that’s something insensible to say the least bringing politics to sports. But there’s more!

“Remember Pearl Harbor”, remarked another fan again referring to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor during WWII. So again commenting on such petty remarks is creating animosity between the origins, which is surely not the objective of global sports. “GAY” reads a comment, which even though not related to the Signing of Roki Sasaki, communicates the homophobia in the society. Well, MLB is followed worldwide and such comments are a disgrace to American society. This country has no place for homophobia but comments like these are giving the wrong notion to the non-Americans. 

“Plane crash,” remarked another, wishing death for the players. This is also something painful and not expected from the MLB fans. There were incidents where people lost their loved ones and this comment is insulting to those bereaved souls. A fan remarked, “These guys will be on their way to 2 Tommy John surgeries as well just like Ohtani”. This points towards the elbow surgery done on Ohtani and how the other two will also be injured in the same way. Again, wishing for someone’s physical harm is not what the American culture stands for. 

Making MLB a better place for talents like Roki Sasaki

Apart from the MLB management, it is also the fans who make the game beautiful. So, they also must communicate a positive message worldwide, and let’s not forget that baseball is still a growing sport globally with MLB being the frontrunner in promoting the sport. Also, the players getting drafted from the international signings are enhancing the global appeal of MLB and if they are subject to such comments, the future inflow of international talents like Roki Sasaki will be affected. Historically there are Japanese players like Ichiro Suzuki who have enriched the MLB value and the current players continue to do so. But any other way to make things work?

The MLB management can also have a more transparent communication channel where the feedback of the fans from social media can be judged and required actions to be taken. Here, the majority of the fans are complaining about undue advantage given to the Dodgers over others and hence, it is up to the MLB management to look after these issues. Nevertheless, with Roki Sasaki, the Dodgers are looking unstoppable and are a force to reckon with. It would be interesting to see how other teams are taking the fight to them. 

The American baseball culture is all about inclusivity and diversity and hence these few comments can be considered as exceptions. With fans being the most integral part of any sport, it is up to them about how MLB will thrive in the long run and what message they want to share worldwide.