Baseball royalty descended upon Tokyo this week as the Los Angeles Dodgers prepared for their upcoming MLB season opener against the Chicago Cubs at the iconic Tokyo Dome. Amidst the pre-season buzz, Dodgers stars Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani took a moment to discuss fatherhood, team leadership, and the franchiseʼs new pitching phenom, Roki Sasaki.
Mookieʼs Fatherhood Advice for Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgersʼ two-way sensation, recently announced that he and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, are expecting their first child. Teammate Mookie Betts, a father of two, had some sage advice for the soon-to-be dad.
“He should get his sleep now,” Betts quipped, “Because when the baby comes, he wonʼt get any.”
– Mookie Betts
Betts, known for his leadership and camaraderie, emphasized the importance of Ohtaniʼs presence in the clubhouse, likening him to “a god.” The two superstars have formed a powerful bond, both on and off the field, as they lead the Dodgers in their quest for another World Series title.
The Arrival of Roki Sasaki
As the Dodgers gear up for the season, all eyes are on their latest acquisition, 23-year-old Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki. Touted as a once-in-a-generation talent, Sasaki joins fellow countrymen Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the Dodgersʼ formidable pitching rotation.
Betts, who has already met with the young phenom, described Sasaki as “really, really soft-spoken,” but believes that the camaraderie with Ohtani and Yamamoto will help him adapt to the MLB.
“Iʼm going to get him out of his shell,” Betts declared. “Iʼm going to laugh and joke and get him to really embrace the American culture. I think that will really help him to be the best pitcher on the planet.”
– Mookie Betts
Dodgers Poised for Global Domination
With the addition of Sasaki and the continued brilliance of Ohtani and Yamamoto, the Dodgers boast an unprecedented Japanese pitching trio. This global talent, combined with the teamʼs established stars like Betts, positions the Dodgers as strong contenders for another championship run.
As the MLB continues to expand its international presence, the Dodgersʼ season opener in Tokyo serves as a testament to the sportʼs global appeal. The two-game series against the Cubs is expected to draw massive crowds and generate excitement among baseball fans worldwide.
With Betts at the helm, Ohtani balancing fatherhood and his dual pitching/hitting role, and Sasaki poised to take the league by storm, the Dodgers are set for a thrilling and potentially historic season. As the baseball world turns its gaze to Tokyo, one thing is certain: the Dodgersʼ star-studded roster is ready to shine on the global stage.
