I'm not a follower of sports - sure, I love to watch the occasional game, or to pay attention when my college teams are doing well or playing each other - but I have had no understanding of how deeply sports connections matter, so, interesting to watch and see this, and to wonder how many other things like this bond our countries, and our people? Do electronics matter? (The Walkman and Nintendo and Playstation say yes!) Comics? American cinema? What other sports cross over beside baseball? (I don't remember my trips to Cooperstown focusing on Japan, but there was a lot about the Caribbean nations!)
My trips to Tokyo have been fascinating, so much interesting history and interaction.
You captured the essence of how important baseball is to the Japanese culture, Cynthia, as well as the overwhelming impact young Shohei has made in his native land. My Japanese bride and I watch the TVJapan feed from NYC daily; Ohtani is a national treasure over there, and his every move is documented almost hourly in detail to his millions of fans. He makes us all look good, whether we Americans deserve it or not.
Absolutely true this other links matter but Ohtani is quite amazing.
I'm not a follower of sports - sure, I love to watch the occasional game, or to pay attention when my college teams are doing well or playing each other - but I have had no understanding of how deeply sports connections matter, so, interesting to watch and see this, and to wonder how many other things like this bond our countries, and our people? Do electronics matter? (The Walkman and Nintendo and Playstation say yes!) Comics? American cinema? What other sports cross over beside baseball? (I don't remember my trips to Cooperstown focusing on Japan, but there was a lot about the Caribbean nations!)
My trips to Tokyo have been fascinating, so much interesting history and interaction.
You captured the essence of how important baseball is to the Japanese culture, Cynthia, as well as the overwhelming impact young Shohei has made in his native land. My Japanese bride and I watch the TVJapan feed from NYC daily; Ohtani is a national treasure over there, and his every move is documented almost hourly in detail to his millions of fans. He makes us all look good, whether we Americans deserve it or not.