The St. Louis Cardinals have a whole list of players who are competing in this year’s World Baseball Classic.
Four have joined with Team USA while others have teamed up with Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Canada, Korea, and Japan.
Lars Nootbaar, the team’s fun-loving right fielder, has emerged as a star on Team Japan.
The 25-year-old is of Japanese descent and always wanted the opportunity to represent Team Japan in the Classic.
So far, he’s been playing some of his best baseball and is becoming a fan favorite, just as he is in St. Louis.
After Friday’s WBC game, Nootbaar answered a few questions about what it means to him to be able to represent Team Japan.
"I feel right at home."
Lars Nootbaar talks playing for Team Japan. 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/PPf1F4wrX6
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 10, 2023
Nootbaar talked about his big hit from Friday’s game and what the situation entailed.
He credited the fans at the Tokyo Dome for being loud and engaged in the game.
Nootbaar says he enjoys feeding off of their energy in key situations and said that the venue is right up with Busch Stadium in terms of the environment and the support of fans.
He was then asked about what it meant for him to have so much support from the fans and his new teammates.
Nootbaar says it’s special for him and that he feels right at home, giving credit where credit is due and praising his teammates and the fans once again for accepting him as one of their own.
From St. Louis to Japan, Nootbaar is well loved and his story will only continue.
NEXT: Lars Nootbaar Finds Himself On A Unique Pedestal
