Before the 2023 MLB season starts, baseball fans will be able to enjoy a short, but thrilling competition: the World Baseball Classic (WBC).
There, 20 of the best nations when it comes to baseball skills will compete for the right to be called champions.
The United States and the Dominican Republic are considered favorites by many, but people tend to forget about Japan.
The Japanese won the first two editions of the WBC, in 2006 and 2009, and always send competitive teams to the event.
This edition is no exception: led by Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani, Japan has several top-caliber players, both in MLB and the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league.
Yu Darvish, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, Munetaka Murakami, Masataka Yoshida, Lars Nootbaar, and many other quality players will try to help Japan reclaim the title.
Ohtani has been training for this moment for a while.
It’s the first time he will get to represent his country in the Classic, and he wants to do it in style.
He has been with Team Japan since last week, getting ready for the tournament in his native country.
Judging by his performance in exhibition games, Ohtani looks game-ready.
He hit not one, but two home runs in Japan’s most recent contest.
The Sho has already started.
Shohei Ohtani rips TWO home runs in #WorldBaseballClassic exhibition action. pic.twitter.com/fkS6KWtyZA
— MLB (@MLB) March 6, 2023
One of the home runs was hit a la Adrian Beltre, on one knee!
This is why Shohei Ohtani is called the unicorn. Dude just went 420 dead center on one knee and also happens to be one of the best pitchers in the world. We are all witnesses.
pic.twitter.com/T8xSfcdwrA— MLB Metrics (@MLBMetrics) March 6, 2023
We shouldn’t be too shocked by this, as he has hit 80 round-trippers in his last two seasons in MLB.
He won an MVP in 2021 and finished second last year by virtue of his contributions as a pitcher and as a hitter.
The WBC isn’t ready for Ohtani in top form trying to win a title with his country.
We are about to witness true greatness.
NEXT: Video Shows Shohei Ohtani Taking Must-See BP
