Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani is off to meet his teammates on the Japanese national baseball team as they all prepare for the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC).
He spent a few days with the Angels before leaving their camp.
Before reporting to Japan’s training camp, Ohtani made a quick stop in the office of the United States’ ambassador in Japan.
“Wasn’t expecting this curveball, but… SHOtime came to the U.S. Embassy! No better representative of the shared national pastime than Ohtani-san. He’s changed the history of the game in Japan and America,” the official account of the US ambassador in Japan Rahm Emanuel tweeted.
Wasn’t expecting this curveball, but… SHOtime came to the U.S. Embassy! No better representative of the shared 🇺🇸🇯🇵 national pastime than Ohtani-san. He’s changed the history of the game in Japan and America. @Angels @MLB pic.twitter.com/kPJp61MYuP
— ラーム・エマニュエル駐日米国大使 (@USAmbJapan) March 3, 2023
The phrase “national treasure” gets thrown around a lot, but Ohtani is even more than that.
You could say that he is an international treasure.
Before succeeding at the MLB level since 2018, he did the same in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball as a very young player.
The two countries have seen him blossom into the most unique baseball player that the game has ever seen.
He is capable of hitting like a top slugger and pitching like a Cy Young contender, all in the same player and occupying a single roster spot.
His skillset is unique, and both the United States and Japan are to thank for making him a true global star.
The latter is going to enjoy his talent in the upcoming WBC, and Ohtani will try to help his country win their third title so far.
He has as good odds as any other player to be crowned the MVP of the tournament.
NEXT: Angels Manager Discusses Team's New Additions
