The World Series trophy is headed to Los Angeles, but there are heartfelt celebrations across the Pacific Ocean, too, in Japan.
People crowded on the edge of the Ginza shopping area in central Tokyo on Thursday afternoon as special single-sheet editions rolled off the printing presses, proclaiming Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto as world champions along with their teammates team of the Dodgers after a thrilling Game 5 victory over the New York Yankees.
The title in Japanese in Japanese Sports newspaper, in yellow and blue letters – with red highlights – read: “No. 1 in the world. Ohtani beats the Yankees.
“I want to thank my Japanese fans for coming all the way to cheer me this season,” Ohtani said on Japanese television. “That cheer gave me some energy, so I'm happy I was able to return the gratitude with the victory.”
Newspaper handouts are a Tokyo tradition when Japan celebrates a major event. And it was a rush, as usual, with men and women – young and old – running up and down the sidewalk to get their free collectibles.
THE Yomiuri Shimbun the headline read: “Dodgers No. 1; Ohtani, Yamamoto in the first season.
Yasuko Shibata, an 80-year-old woman who said she faithfully watches Ohtani's games, said she admired “Ohtani's personality.” Not to mention his great play.
“His presence is huge,” he said. “It's a source of my energy. When it doesn't do well I feel down too”
Another fan echoed his thoughts, standing near the Ginza subway entrance.
“It's the pride of Japan,” said Hideki Shinohara, a self-described die-hard fan. “You can't just describe it as 'fantastic.' You have to invent a new word.”
Shinohara added: “He's been through a lot this year and I didn't expect him to get this far. I am very satisfied with what he achieved. “
Japanese pride in Ohtani is enormous for a country whose players were once considered too small or just good pitchers. There is now a strong pride in the fact that their players are among the best in the game.
Japan defeated the United States in the final of the World Baseball Classic last year in Miami, another sign of the country's prowess in America's pastime.
It was also a victory for Ohtani's hometown in northern Japan, Oshu City, where fans have gathered all week expecting their superstar hero to help deliver the title.
About 38,000 special edition newspapers were also published in Iwate Prefecture, the northern area where the city of Oshu is located.