Brooklyn Nets’ Yuta Watanabe celebrates Shohei Ohtani's hero-like status post WBC win
Shohei Ohtani's performance after earning the WBC MVP has impressed fans and elite athletes across the world. The list includes Japanese professional basketball player Yuta Watanabe, who plays for the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA.
Watanabe was seen wearing a Ohtani jersey after Japan's victory in the World Baseball Classic.
Brooklyn Nets’ Yuta Watanabe was rocking Shohei Ohtani’s jersey after Japan’s World Baseball Classic win
“He’s like God in Japan right now”
(via @NickFriedell) https://t.co/iGX8Ptm2mA
"Brooklyn Nets’ Yuta Watanabe was rocking Shohei Ohtani’s jersey after Japan’s World Baseball Classic win. 'He’s like God in Japan right now' (via @NickFriedell)" - Jomboymedia
On Tuesday night, Japan defeated the defending champion United States 3-2 to win the World Baseball Classic for the first time since 2009. Shohei Ohtani came out of the bullpen and struck out Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the final out.
Greatest Sho on Earth! #WorldBaseballClassic https://t.co/pPzY1QGijN
"Greatest Sho on Earth! #WorldBaseballClassic" - MLB
Here are some reactions to the thrilling conclusion on social media:
Give Ohtani a billion dollars. Mythical unicorn god on the baseball field!
"Give Ohtani a billion dollars. Mythical unicorn god on the baseball field!" - Marcus Stroman
Barry Bonds was the greatest hitter/fielder/baserunner I ever saw. But Shohei Ohtani's ability to hit AND pitch is beyond Babe Ruth. The young man at 28 is already LEGENDARY.
"Barry Bonds was the greatest hitter/fielder/baserunner I ever saw. But Shohei Ohtani's ability to hit AND pitch is beyond Babe Ruth. The young man at 28 is already LEGENDARY." - Skip Bayless
The Best Player in the World https://t.co/bstRYQJV85
"The Best Player in the World" - Rob Friedman
The early years and background of Shohei Ohtani.
Ohtani was born on July 5, 1994, to Kayoko and Toru Otani in Oshu, Iwate, Japan. In high school, his mother competed nationally in badminton. His father, who played baseball as a hobby, competed in the Japanese Industrial League.
Ohtani signed a contract with the Los Angeles Angels on Dec. 8, 2017, and has been playing for them ever since. Before the season began, the Angels declared they would continue to deploy Ohtani as a pitcher and a batter.
Since Ohtani is a two-way athlete, it was a significant move to enable him to play without any limits or constraints in the 2021 season. On March 22, 2022, MLB instituted a new rule that permits a pitcher in the batting order to continue playing as a designated hitter after being removed off the mound. Due to his mastery in the two-way game, the regulation was informally dubbed the "Ohtani rule."
Some of Ohtani's rewards and recognitions include the MLB Player of the week award, Rookie of the year award, Most Valuable Player Award, The Silver Slugger Award (American League) and many more.
It appears that with the most recent championship victory, every child in Japan aspires to become like Ohtani when they grow up.