Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers have won the World Series, and Ohtani’s home country of Japan is taking notice. A new rice paddy portrait of Ohtani and his dog, Decoy, has appeared in Oshu, Japan.
A beautiful rice paddy portrait of Ohtani and his dog decoy, has been made in his hometown of Oshu, Japan!!! 🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/hIQ0SETIyn
— World Baseball Network (@WorldBaseball_) November 1, 2024
Oshu is Ohtani’s hometown. Over the years, Ohtani has become the nation’s symbol for baseball. He has won two American League MVP Awards and will likely win the National League MVP Award this season. However, perhaps more important than the MVP Award is the World Series title.
Those worldwide who have followed Ohtani’s career know that the World Series is a special moment for him. It is one of the reasons he came to the Dodgers after years with the Los Angeles Angels, failing to even reach the postseason with them. Dodgers and Japanese baseball fans celebrate Ohtani, but he means a little more in Japan.
Ohtani led Samurai Japan to a Gold Medal in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Japanese fans will not be able to celebrate at a championship parade like Dodgers fans in Los Angeles, but they are showing their love for the superstar in other ways.
Ohtani persevered through a shoulder injury in Game 2 of the World Series. Despite exiting the game in Game 2, he did not miss Game 3 despite plenty of speculation. The 2024 season will always be special for Ohtani. Obviously, he won his first World Series, but he also became the founding member of the 50/50 club.
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