Dodgers’ Kiké Hernandez Compares Latin, Japanese Baseball Fans Following Tokyo Series
The Los Angeles Dodgers returned to the city after making their season debut overseas. The Dodgers’ trip to Japan was full of memorable moments, including the team’s historic Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs.
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Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki hosted a team dinner in Japan and many players said it was the best experience they’d ever had.
Anthony Banda visited the Pokemon headquarters with his son. Tanner Scott and Blake Snell visited the Tsukiji Nippon Fish Port Market. Blake Treinen, Clayton Kershaw and Landon Knack went on a group outing to learn about sumo wrestlers.
But it was at the Tokyo Dome where the Dodgers had the chance to witness firsthand the popularity of Major League Baseball in Japan. The international event set records for viewership, merchandise sales, and attendances.
Utility man Kiké Hernández compared the Japanese culture to his own, but noted the lasting impact of fans in Tokyo.
“When it comes to just culture as it is, I believe that the Latin culture and the Japanese culture can’t be more far apart from each other,” Hernández said. “But when it comes to the passion and the way that fans enjoy the game … it’s the closest thing to it.”
The Dodgers have made it known that the organization hopes to “paint Japan blue.” The Tokyo Series was another monumental step toward reaching that goal.
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Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
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