Baseball fans have a lot to look forward to as the World Baseball Classic is right around the corner. With the first game set for the 7th of March, many are predicting a winner. The Japanese team is among the favorites, with a stacked contingent led by 2021 AL MVP Shohei Ohtani. The Los Angeles Angels two-way star seems determined to win the trophy this year.
Team Japan is stacked with NPB stars and a sprinkling of top MLB talent as well. Most recently, Ohtani shared an epic picture with his teammates on social media while calling for fans’ support.
Shohei Ohtani shares a photo with all his teammates
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With the World Baseball Classic beginning on 7th March, players have started joining up with their teams. Most recently, Japanese phenom Shohei Ohtani shared a picture with his Japanese contingent on his Instagram account. While doing so, he also asked for fans’ support before their tournament begins. Team Japan is in Pool B and all of their group games will take place in their home nation. This post was Ohtani’s way of getting fans pumped before their tournament begins.
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According to a translated version of the post, Ohtani said, “Let’s do it together my fans”. Along with it, he also shared the photo with all of his teammates for the Classic. Ohtani was working out hard in Spring Training before flying to Japan via a $10 million jet.
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The Angels star arrived for Spring Training early and was putting in the work ahead of the WBC. Furthermore, he has a massive MLB season ahead of him as well. Following the 2023 season, he is set to become a free agent, with several teams vying for his signature. But for now, he’ll be aiming to win the Classic for Japan.
Team Japan is stacked with talent
Shohei Ohtani is the biggest name on a Japanese team that is stacked with talent. Yu Darvish, Munetaka Murakami, Masataka Yoshida, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are just a few other big names. In Ohtani and Murakami, they have the 2021 AL MVP and the reigning NPB MVP, respectively.
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Furthermore, Darvish is an elite MLB pitcher and Yamamoto is widely considered the best pitcher in Japan. These are just a few of the other stars that will suit up alongside Ohtani. What do you think of Shohei Ohtani’s Instagram post? Please share your thoughts below.