The World Series trophy is going to Los Angeles, but the celebration is reaching all the way to Japan.
On Thursday morning, people gathered at local train stations in Tokyo as special newspaper editions were prepared, announcing that Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, along with their Dodgers teammates, are world champions after a thrilling Game 5 win against the New York Yankees.
“I want to thank my Japanese fans for coming all the way to cheer me this season,” Ohtani said on Japanese television. “That cheering gave me some energy so I’m glad I could return the gratitude my winning.”
Handing out newspapers is a Tokyo tradition for celebrating big events, and this is a major one for a country that used to see its players as too small or just good pitchers. Now, there is great pride in knowing that their players are among the best in baseball.
Japan also beat the United States in the World Baseball Classic final last year in Miami, showing the country’s strength in this sport.
It was also a win for Ohtani’s hometown in northern Japan — Oshu City — where fans have been gathering all week, hoping their superstar would help bring home the title.
