Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki Hosting Mandatory Dodgers Dinner in Japan
The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially touched down in Japan for the two-game Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs.
The Dodgers will play two exhibition games over the weekend, before facing off against the Cubs on March 18 and 19 to open the 2025 regular season.
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The Dodgers were the obvious choice among MLB teams to go to Japan as they have three of the league’s greatest Japanese talents on the roster in Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki.
Ohtani played in Nippon Professional Baseball for five seasons (2013-17); Yamamoto played in the NPB for six seasons (2017-23); and Sasaki played in the NPB for the last four seasons (2021-24). All three represented Team Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, helping them win the gold medal over Team USA.
Now, all three players will get to return to their home country in one of the most anticipated events in baseball history. Not only will they get to represent the Dodgers in front of their hometown fans, but they’ll also get to show their Dodger teammates what life is like in Japan.
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According to manager Dave Roberts — who was also born in Japan — Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Sasaki are hosting their teammates for a mandatory, players-only team dinner with a sushi chef this week.
“Shohei … Yoshinobu, and Roki are hosting just the players — which is great — it’s mandatory, and so just the players are gonna be there all 31 guys and they’re gonna bring this crazy sushi chef and go to some dinner and they’re gonna host it, so it’s awesome.”
The three Japanese stars seem very excited to host their teammates in their home country, and they’re already going to make them feel at home by hosting this dinner.
This trip will also be a great team bonding experience for the reigning World Series champs, as they welcome some new faces to the club after a busy offseason.
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Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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