It’s a thing of beauty, a perfect arc that seems to hang in the air forever. A sight to behold – the ball Shohei Ohtani has sent soaring high into the sky. It’s certainly true that when the sensational athlete akin to the legendary Babe Ruth steps up to the plate, fear runs a finger down his opponent’s spine, leaving them shivering, no, quaking in their boots. The LA Angels phenom is currently in Tokyo, playing under Japan’s banner with his same usual excellence.
Leave the fans! Even the rival players are keen to watch a glimpse of Ohtani’s excellence in the ballparks. The Czech Republic team sure is endearing in its own right. The team from a small town in the heart of Europe is a first-timer in the World Baseball Classic, and they were in awe at seeing the legend right in front of them.
Shohei Ohtani bewilders all
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The Czech Republic team is a mosaic of personalities, each member carrying their own ambitions and aspirations beyond the ballpark. Yet, they share a burning passion and fervor for the game of baseball, which has now propelled them onto the grandest of stages. And when the famed Shohei Ohtani stepped up to the plate, they were struck with a sense of admiration and reverence as he showcased his MVP-caliber skills.
Here are some visuals of the same in a few tweets:
Czech Republic team watching Shohei Ohtani’s batting practice just having fun with their phones out 📱❤️ pic.twitter.com/pBTxD7t9r2
— 大谷翔平 ¹⁶⚾ Ohtani Shohei ¹⁶ (@shoheisaveus) March 11, 2023
Czech Republic team watching Shohei Ohtani’s batting practice just having fun with their phones out 📱❤️ pic.twitter.com/pBTxD7t9r2
— 大谷翔平 ¹⁶⚾ Ohtani Shohei ¹⁶ (@shoheisaveus) March 11, 2023
The legendary Shohei Ohtani batting practice!!!!
His whole plan is to destroy the video boards in Tokyo Dome where his own face is on the whole game pic.twitter.com/qCMkbK0ZwB
— 大谷翔平 ¹⁶⚾ Ohtani Shohei ¹⁶ (@shoheisaveus) March 11, 2023
Czech Republic team watching Shohei Ohtani’s batting practice just having fun with their phones out 📱❤️ pic.twitter.com/pBTxD7t9r2
— 大谷翔平 ¹⁶⚾ Ohtani Shohei ¹⁶ (@shoheisaveus) March 11, 2023
As they saw the Japanese sensation take his batting practice, the Czech team couldn’t help but act like giddy fans. They took their phones out to capture the moment they first saw the legend in the flesh.
Ohtani effortlessly sends balls flying out of the park, each swing more exceptional than the last. The rival team was in awe, surrounding Ohtani while being completely lost in the moment.
Who won between the Czech Republic and Japan?
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The stadium was alive with the thunderous roars of the crowd. Each pitch and hit reverberated through the air like an endless symphony. The Czech team came out of the dugout strongly, taking advantage of a fielding error to gain an early lead against the mammoths. And then came the moment that Ondrej Satoria, the phenomenal pitcher, had been dreaming of since he first set eyes on the baseball demigod Shohei Ohtani. With a look of determination etched in his demeanor, he delivered pitches that left Ohtani looking like a mere mortal as he struck him out. The stadium, of course, erupted in a deafening roar as Satoria basked in the euphoria of his triumph.
Satoria is in the zone today! What a big strike out of Ohtani for the Czech Republic starter 🇨🇿
📺: FS1 and the FOX Sports App pic.twitter.com/JmjOoQzcgW
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 11, 2023
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But Japan, like the champions they are, refused to go down without a fight. Slowly but surely, they found their rhythm and began to dominate on the field, showcasing their usual excellence. In the end, Japan emerged victorious, with a final score of 10-2, securing their spot in the quarterfinals.
WATCH THIS STORY: Japanese Two-Way Baseball Star Shohei Ohtani Hits 100th Major League Homer