It’s not every day that a person can brag about playing against one of the strongest pro baseballers in the world. And as if that wasn’t enough, striking them out too. Things took an interesting turn in the recent World Baseball Classic game of Japan vs the Czech Republic. And Shohei Ohtani was at the center of it all, even after the game concluded.
Debuting in the WBC this year, the Czech team has quickly become a fan favorite with their amazing play. The most interesting thing, perhaps, is that those players aren’t even full-time baseballers. Nevertheless, they’ve dominated the headlines ever since they scored a win against another first-timer, China.
Japan, of course, is no stranger to strong players or victory. And yet, for a while there, things were tense when the two teams competed. Ultimately, Japan won, but they still had respect for the Czech Republic. And the latter responded back.
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The Czech Republic only has words of praise for Shohei Ohtani even after losing to Japan
Japan is as well stacked as an All-Star team this year, with Sho-time leading the roster. Other big names include Yu Darvish, Lars Nootbaar, and Roki Sasaki. Somehow still, the Czech team gave them a run for their money as they put up a strong struggle. And it clearly impressed Ohtani, who later posted a picture of the Czech team with the caption, “Respect” with the Czech flag on his Instagram story.
Speechless! 🇨🇿🫶🏻 Best player of baseball history paying respect to our boys… that’s alright @MLB @WBCBaseball #CzechIN #baseballczech pic.twitter.com/7wMrtG8qtV
— BaseballCzech (@BaseballCzech) March 11, 2023
Coming from one of the greatest baseball players this century has seen, the team really must have been something to play against. And they answered right back with a tweet that sang praises of Ohtani. The caption read, “Speechless! 🇨🇿🫶🏻 Best player of baseball history paying respect to our boys… that’s alright @MLB @WBCBaseball #CzechIN #baseballczech”
What did the fans think of this display?
Japan has been a well-favored team in the World Baseball Classic so far, especially being the only team with multiple championship wins in the past. And yet, the European team may just steal hearts with their own unusual play.
Baseball is about talent, hard work, and strategy. But at the deepest level, it’s about love, integrity, and respect.
Czech is good team!
From Japan— GoNado (@Nolan_NadoNado) March 11, 2023
the czech boys were wonderful players! they displayed great sportsmanship and we enjoyed watching the game~ 🫡
— 🇯🇵¹⁶ (@ohtaniverse) March 11, 2023
Many Japanese are paying respect to Team Czech too! and Many Japanese are looking forward to another match between the Czech and Japanese teams!
— でかいねこ (@torasan_neko_) March 11, 2023
Fans from all over the world responded to the tweet about how much they admired Ohtani’s integrity. After all, win or lose, everyone’s here for their love of baseball.
I heard that the Czech players said it was their dream to play against Otani, and I believe they will be the dream of Czech children when they return home.
Thank you for your respect, not only for Samurai Japan, but also for the Japanese supporters and their cheering trumpets!
— peri (@kaname_mochi) March 11, 2023
Japanese baseball fans were impressed by the Czech team's spirit of fair play and fun!
I hope that baseball will flourish in the Czech Republic. And I hope we can play against Japan again!— れと (@vSrO2IGNub6aWot) March 11, 2023
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As some fans rightly pointed out – at the core of it all, competitions are about the love of the sport for everyone involved. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who lost or who won, as long as fun is considered.
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Japan now heads to a game against Australia on Sunday at 6 a.m. ET, after the latter defeated Korea.
WATCH THIS STORY: Japanese Two-Way Baseball Star Shohei Ohtani Hits 100th Major League Homer