Shohei Ohtani’s WBC Teammate Displays Token of Friendship During Latest Appearance as Two-Way Phenom Prepares for Historic Free Agency

During the World Baseball Classic, where only the crack of the bat and applause from the crowd dominate the field, something quite heartwarming stood out. It had to do with the story of the unbreakable friendship between Lars Nootbaar and Shohei Ohtani. Lars Nootbaar, an outfielder for the Cardinals, quickly made a name worldwide. On the other hand, Shohei Ohtani is a great pitcher, hitter, and outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels.

Two athletes from different corners of the world stepped onto the grand stage, and their only common goal was to represent Japan. Slowly, they came to realize that besides winning the WBC, they would discover something truly memorable. 

Victories at the World Baseball Classic and a new journey towards friendship

In a thrilling World Baseball Classic game, Ohtani hit two huge home runs and Nootbaar also got two hits in, ultimately leading Japan to an 8-1 win over the Hanshin Tigers. They both left the fans and the crowd in awe. Hideki Kuriyama even praised MLB stars for their dedication and skills. The two players also shared laughs and expressed their mutual respect.

Read More: Why Is American-Born Lars Nootbaar Playing Alongside Shohei Ohtani for Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic?

Ohtani decided to express his friendship with a warm gesture. He gifted Nootbaar a watch as a token of their friendship. During a recent interview, Nootbaar flaunts the watch, and it looks amazing on his wrist.

This is a clear representation of the bond they share, and how much they adore and respect each other. Amidst serious competition, they have their own funny and lighthearted moments as well. 

The laughter-filled moments of friendship

Beyond the gifts, the friendship between the two always finds some lighthearted moments. Recently, a fun Twitter post made fans smile. Nootbaar extends an invitation to his beloved friend for lunch, just to get a response three hours later. Ohtani’s message will make his fans laugh. He texted back, “Sorry, I was sleeping”. 

The simple exchange of messages speaks volumes about the friendship they share. Nootbaar has always praised his friend and described him as a humble and down-to-earth person. He refers to Ohtani as one of the best baseball players and a great friend. 

With the shared triumphs, giggles, and presents, Nootbaar and Ohtani truly set the bar for friendship in sports.

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