Dave Roberts Said Dodgers Accomplished Mission of Painting Japan Blue
In 1995, right-handed pitcher Hideo Nomo made his Major League debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Although Nomo wasn’t the first Japanese player in the big leagues, he is often credited for paving the way for those who have followed him to stateside baseball.
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The signing of Nomo could certainly be considered the genesis of the Dodgers’ relationship with Japanese players.
Flash forward to 2025, the Dodgers will compete against the Chicago Cubs on Opening Day at the Tokyo Dome. L.A. has not one, not two, but three of Japan’s best and brightest on the roster in Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki.
When the Dodgers signed Ohtani and Yamamoto, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the franchise hoped to become a pipeline for Japanese talent.
“This signing, from our standpoint, was about the level of talent that we added and the effect it has on our championship odds. But a really helpful aspect of this deal is the potential tail of value of kids growing up [in Japan] being passionate Dodger fans, turning into really good players in the NPB [Nippon Professional Baseball], and then in an ideal world wanting to be a Dodger when they come over to play Major League Baseball.”
That dream became a reality when Sasaki chose to sign with the Dodgers over the San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays.
The Dodgers are now seeing the popularity of the team in real time during their trip overseas.
“I think our mission was accomplished, painting the country of Japan in Dodger blue,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
Sasaki also revealed he witnessed more Dodgers fans in Japan over the past year, citing the importance of their World Series win.
“I think it did help that the Dodgers went to the World Series,” he said.
The Dodgers hope to win it all once again in 2025, and it all begins in the heart of Japan.
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Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
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