At the start of his baseball career itself, Shohei Ohtani had made up his mind about playing in North America’s Major League Baseball. However, his wish to play in MLB never equated to Ohtani leaving his homeland standing. And the recently concluded World Baseball Classic is emblematic of that fact. But that’s not all the two-way wonder did for Japan.

Ohtani made sure to look ahead, even if it was at the cost of $10,000.

Led by Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese baseball team walked past every other country in the World Baseball Classic. The Japanese wonder boy also conquered past his Angels teammate Mike Trout in the ultimate deciding innings of the finale. Baseman Lars Nootbaar, who was batting leadoff in the gold medal match, batted a run in during the game.

Top Stories

MLB

Teary-Eyed Dodgers Star Forced to Miss Father’s Funeral Amid “Extremely Difficult” Situation

1 day ago

MLB

Yankees Nation Turns On $70M Star Over Ice-Cold Start as Future Turns Uncertain Amid Amed Rosario Surge

1 day ago

NFL

$6.8B NFL Team Owners Buy Substantial Stake in MLB’s Colorado Rockies

13 hrs ago

MLB

Who Are Kyle Tucker’s Parents? All about Mike Tucker and Lisa Fernandez

3+ weeks ago

MLB

George Steinbrenner Deserves to Be on Baseball Hall of Fame Despite Tainted MLB Reputation, Claims NY Insider

12 hrs ago

Shohei Ohtani bid adieu to a prized possession to make Lars Nootbaar make a promise

Lars Nootbaar made his MLB debut in 2021 with the St. Louis Cardinals. Born in California, the 25-year-old became the first player not born in Japan to represent their national baseball team. And Shohei Ohtani immediately caught on to his talent and made a move to secure him for the next edition of the WBC.

The American League MVP from 2021 handed over his Seiko watch worth $10,000 to the Cardinals baseman while asking him to commit to representing Japan in 2026.

An Ohtani fan account confirmed this news on Twitter, and said, “The watch Ohtani gave to Nootbaar is $10,000 USD it’s Grand Seiko and Shohei’s been a model for Seiko since 2016.”

Read More: Shohei Ohtani Enjoys an Expensive Meal With His Japanese Teammates Ahead of World Baseball Classic 2023 Semifinal Showdown

A move like this not only establishes Ohtani’s bond with the Cardinals youngster but also his commitment to his homeland to part with such a prized possession.

Will Lars Nootbaar live up to the promise he made to Shohei Ohtani? Or will he let the Japanese wonder boy down? What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

WATCH THIS STORY – Japanese Two-Way Baseball Star Shohei Ohtani Hits 100th Major League Homer