PHOENIX — It’s going to be like the Beatles touring the United States in the ’60s.
Michael Jordan and the Dream Team playing at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
Beyonce and Taylor Swift performing on stage together on a world tour.
Here come the Los Angeles Dodgers, arriving in Tokyo on Wednesday morning, where the entire country of Japan is ready to go bonkers celebrating the return of Shohei Ohtani and pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki in two exhibition games and then two regular-season games against the Chicago Cubs at the Tokyo Dome.
It may be the hottest ticket in baseball history, costing $900 just to get into the door for the exhibition games at the 55,000-seat stadium and at least $2,000 for standing-room only tickets for the season-opening games.
“The stadium doesn’t hold 100 million people,’ Dodgers president Stan Kasten told USA TODAY Sports, “which is approximately how many Japanese people would love to see Shohei and Yoshi and Roki. Everyone appreciates the historic significance unlike any other international adventure we’ve ever undertaken in baseball.
“We think the reception that this team, especially because of Shohei, Yoshi and Roki, it will feel the way our [World Series] parade felt every day we’re there.
“This is going to be off the charts.’
The Cubs have two Japanese players themselves with Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki, but sorry, they don’t have the star power of the defending World Series champion Dodgers, with six potential future Hall of Famers and the best player on the planet in Ohtani.
There are building-sized billboards of Ohtani. Merchandise in every store. A fan club. And Dodger marketing officials insist that nearly 85% of Japanese baseball fans wear New Balance sneakers just because Ohtani sponsors the brand.
My goodness, they couldn’t even keep the $215 Ohtani jerseys in stock during the Dodgers’ spring-training games at Camelback Ranch.
“It’s going to be absolutely crazy over there,’ Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez said. “It’s going to be so wild just watching people react towards Shohei. We’re all looking forward to seeing that.’’
- Infielder Max Muncy: “It’s going to be like traveling with the Beatles, it’s going to be really fun, really cool, and it’s going to be unforgettable.’
- Starter Tyler Glasnow: “Its going to be insane. It’s going to be like Justin Bieber times 10 over there.’
- Catcher Austin Barnes: “I have no idea how Shohei and those guys are going to maneuver over there.’
- Outfielder Michael Conforto: “I think we’re all excited because we can say this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity over there. We all know how the fans embrace baseball over there, so you can imagine how they’ll react seeing our guys, and the Cubs’ Japanese stars too. “It is going to be nuts.’
Dodgers building on their Asian pipeline
The Dodgers, who are expect to draw more than 4 million fans at Dodger Stadium for the first time in franchise history, have already emerged as the most popular team in North America.
Now, they are taking their star-studded cast to Japan.
Even the Dodgers’ three Japanese interpreters are rock stars.
Who wouldn’t want to play for the Dodgers? They have the largest payroll. Gorgeous facilities. Rich history. And a future that could be unrivaled.
Now, they’ll be showcasing their team for the next generation of Asian stars to admire.
“It’s the place,’ Hernandez said, “wherever everyone wants to play.’
The trip hasn’t generated a single gripe from their players or staff members about going to Japan. Sure, it’s a 12-hour flight, landing in Tokyo at 3 p.m. Thursday, stopping off at the hotel to drop off their bags, and then heading to the ballpark for practice to help combat jet lag.
The two teams will work out Friday, play two exhibition games against the Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers on Saturday and Sunday, work out again Monday, and then on Tuesday, March 19, play the first of two games against the Cubs beginning each day at 6 a.m. ET. The Dodgers will be the visiting team in both games, but it could feel like Dodger Stadium.
“The Cubs have a couple of really good Japanese players too, and a long, proud history,’ Kasten says, “but we are the Dodgers. I think the Dodgers are just different, especially in Japan.’
The Dodgers will return home to Los Angeles, have three days off and then play three exhibition games against the Angels in the Freeway Series before their home-opener on March 27 against the Detroit Tigers. The Cubs will return to Mesa, Ariz., play five more Cactus League games, and open the regular season on the road in Phoenix against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
But complaints? Not a one.
“When guys were going to Australia [in 2014]’ manager Dave Roberts said, “you heard there was a lot of complaints. Now, guys are pumped. It’s unbelievable. Come on, you get a free trip to Japan and a plus-one. You kidding me? And your teammates that you love and get to go home and see how they’re received.
“That is so cool.’
You know how special this trip is to the Dodgers when 36-year-old Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw, who will open the season on the injured list, is not only making the trip – but flying commercial with his wife and four children to witness the spectacle.
“This is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience,’ Kershaw said, unloading suitcases from his car. “It will be really fun. You’re never going to be able to replicate this trip, so I’m going to give it a go. I’m excited to take it all in.’
‘The perfect story’
Certainly, the Dodgers and Cubs are doing their part to make sure the Japanese experience will forever be remembered. Yamamoto and Imanaga will be the first Japanese pitchers to face one another in an opener in history, with Sasaki pitching in Game 2 for the Dodgers. Ohtani and Suzuki should be the teams’ DHs.
“Appreciating the fact that we’re going back to their home country,’ Roberts said, “it’s the perfect story. To follow up Yoshi with Roki, I think it’s just a great story. ….
“Truth be told, I think this is bigger than the Dodgers. I think we’re all baseball fans here, and how many opportunities do you get to pitch for a major-league team going back there. I mean, this is probably a one-time, one-shot opportunity for these guys.’
Said Dodgers All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman: “I just think this will be more than we possibly can expect.’
Yamamoto and Sasaki couldn’t hide their enthusiasm the past two days about having the opportunity to pitch in front of their family, friends and nation. There will be nerves, for sure.
“I think there’s a lot of excitement, a lot of emotion,’ Roberts said. “These guys grew up in Japan, I’m sure watching the Tokyo Giants in the Tokyo Dome, playing in the [NPB] league, pitch in the [World Baseball Classic] and then to come back and pitch for the Dodgers against the teams they played against and players that they know, I just can’t imagine how many eyes are going to be on that series.’
Yet, instead of his young Japanese starts wilting under the pressure, Roberts is convinced they’ll embrace the expectations and thrive.
“I just think these are Japanese superstars,’ Roberts said, “they’re built differently in the sense of pitching in huge games since they were young, pitching in the WBC, understanding expectations. They’re just really tough guys, and very resilient.’
Sasaki, 23, who just came from Japan in January, says he embraces the rarity of making his major-league debut in his home country.
“To be able to pitch in Japan is going to be a pretty special and unique opportunity,’ Sasaki said Tuesday after pitching four shutout innings. “Obviously being able to pitch in the major leagues is something I’ve worked for a long time to be able to do, and I’m really excited.’’
Japan Series is ‘bigger than us’
The Japan Series holds quite a special significance for Roberts, too. Roberts, the son of a Japanese mother and Black father, was born in Japan when his father was stationed in Okinawa. They moved to the United States when he was 1, and the family went back to visit several times during summer vacations.
“This is personal,’ said Roberts, who visited Japan with his son, Cole, for a commercial shoot in January. “I remember being in Japan as a young kid and watching the Tokyo Giants play and my grandfather telling me that this is the team. So, now to be playing against those guys and managing against those guys is great. It’s amazing.
“This is bigger than us. It’s about global baseball. … I had dinner with [home-run king] Sadaharu Oh and he’s going to be there. And we’re going to talk. Are you kidding me?
“I’m excited for my players to go to Japan and see the people.’
Most of the players on the Dodgers and Cubs will take their wives or girlfriends along. They will be staying in separate hotels, but there are sight-seeing trips planned and get-togethers with both teams.
It will be a bonding experience, giving the players a chance to get closer to one another preparing for a long seven-month season.
“We could go play laser tag or something like that,’ Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters before they flew out Tuesday, “or, we could go to Japan and play the Dodgers. That seems like more fun.”
Counsell even invited Japanese comedian Saku Yanagaw, who is based in Chicago, to speak to the team on Sunday, offering the cultural do’s and don’ts while in Japan.
“Probably the highlight was, when you toast in Japan,’ Counsell said, “the younger person must have their glass below the older person.”
Yes, so 40-year-old Justin Turner of the Cubs, who won the 2020 World Series with the Dodgers, will have that ultimate respect when it comes to toasts.
“That’s what’s going to be so great being there,’’ Dodgers center fielder James Outman said, “is experiencing a new culture, new people and new things. I’ve heard so many good things about Tokyo. I can’t wait to experience it all.’
While no one particularly looks forward to a 12-hour flight, the Dodgers are thrilled to end spring training two weeks before everyone else. The clubhouse was filled with blue duffel bags and cardboard boxes. Outside, there was a moving van filled with equipment for their Japan trip and two trailers for other stuff heading to Dodger Stadium.
“We’ve been here a long time already,’ Muncy said. “It’s starting to become like groundhog day. Guys are ready to go, and we see the light at the end of the tunnel.’
And a vision that will shine brightly throughout the globe.
“We are taking this opportunity to grow our exposure around the world,’ Kasten said. “And I don’t mean the Dodgers, I mean all of baseball. And we are very proud to be a part of that.’
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