MLB Star's Heartwarming Surprise Japan Visit, 7 Months After Tokyo Dome Triumph

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The World Baseball Classic saw Japan's victory, thanks to Shohei Ohtani. However, a lesser-known MLB player made a significant impact and won the country’s hearts with his global debut. Now seven months later, "Tachan" has made his way back to the Land of the Rising Sun. [{ "selector": ".swkmb-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".lnxsd-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(-157px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".kgoxf-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - 320px))", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }]

Lars Nootbaar's Tokyo Dome Reenactment

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MLB fans celebrated Lars Taylor Tatsuji Nootbaar's reenactment of his famous pepper grinder pose at an MLB café in Japan's Fukuoka Prefecture.

Nootbaar's Instant Fan Favorite Status

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Nootbaar became an instant fan favorite during the World Baseball Classic for his unique celebratory pepper grinder motion, earning cheers and adoration from Japanese fans.

A Night of Surprises in Fukuoka

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MLB Japan's post received comments from fans who were thrilled by Nootbaar's offseason visit to Japan, his mother's home country. The slugger's antics were met with love and appreciation, as one fan wrote, "@lars_nootbaar11 Welcome to Japan😺💞🇯🇵❤We look forward to seeing you soon!!” while another remarked, “Come to Tokyo, too, bro! 🎉"

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