Before the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox game on Friday, outfielder Masataka Yoshida had a meeting with the Japanese duo of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Yoshida, who plays for the Red Sox, took a group photo at Dodger Stadium with his fellow citizens while on a road trip.
Ohtani shared a unique photo of the group on social media while they posed for photographers. The group won the 2023 World Baseball Classic in the United States as a member of Team Japan.
Ohtani, the oldest of the three, joined the league in 2018 after making his debut with the LA Angels. He remained there until 2023, when he signed an unprecedented 10-year, $700 million contract in the summer with the Dodgers.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto was the second most sought-after free agent after he signed, and he agreed to a 12-year, $325 million contract with the team. The combined deal worth of the two Dodgers stars is $1.025 billion.
Regarding Masataka Yoshida, the 31-year-old outfielder agreed to a five-year, $90 million contract with the Red Sox prior to the 2023 campaign.
Masataka Yoshida acknowledges the greatness and versatility of Shohei Ohtani.
Shohei Ohtani’s arrival in the Major League Baseball has resulted in a significant increase in the number of Japanese stars. Ohtani’s exceptional play has encouraged numerous organizations to consider signing Japanese prospects every year.
In a December interview, Masataka Yoshida discussed his admiration for Ohtani’s two-way abilities and how it was an honor to play in the same league as him with Chris Henderson of Fanatics Views.
“I have a great deal of respect for him, and his accomplishments are truly historic, making him the first player to achieve success in both pitching and hitting. Through a translator, Yoshida stated, “So yeah, I’m just really honored to play with him as a Japanese player.”
Masataka Yoshida shied away from discussing the Red Sox slugger’s Mount Rushmore for Japanese athletes, citing an abundance of exceptional players to choose from.
Freddie Freeman’s grand homer in the eighth inning helped the Dodgers defeat the Red Sox 4-1 on Friday. Shohei Ohtani was the beneficiary. Game 2 of the current series between the two clubs takes place on Saturday.
