Lars Nootbaar shines spotlight on Shohei Ohtani after two-way superstar seals historic third championship for Team Japan at 2023 WBC
Shohei Ohtani, Lars Nootbaar, and Japan's 2023 team will go down in history after securing a record third World Baseball Classic title.
Nootbaar was overwhelmed with emotion when asked about his team's thrilling victory. Japan went on to defeat the United States 3-2 in a tightly contested championship game on Tuesday.
Nootbaar was instrumental in Japan's undefeated run to the finals. He was inspirational on and off the field and provided a level of energy that few players in the tournament could match.
On this occasion, however, Nootbaar chose to step away from the spotlight and steer the conversation towards his teammate. He singled out Shohei Ohtani as a key figure in Team Japan's championship run.
"We're watching something that we'll never probably see again."
Ohtani has been Japan's standout player in the tournament. The two-way superstar continues to exceed expectations. His performances at the WBC have cemented his place as one of the world's greatest baseball players.
final matchup:"We're watching something that we'll never probably see again."
Lars Nootbaar, WBC Champion, with @DaniWex on the epic 🇺🇸 🇯🇵 final matchup:
@WBCBaseball | #WorldBaseballClassic https://t.co/M1QT7dGZl5
"'We're watching something that we'll never probably see again.' Lars Nootbaar, WBC Champion, with @DaniWex on the epic" @WBCBaseball | #WorldBaseballClassic" - MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM
Prior to the tournament, Ohtani mentioned that it was his dream to win the WBC with Team Japan.
The 2021 American League MVP finished the tournament with a home run, eight RBIs, nine runs and a stolen base. He led his team in several offensive categories, including batting average (.435), slugging (.739), walks (8), hits (10) and runs (9).
Shohei Ohtani and Lars Nootbaar combined for 17 hits and 12 RBIs during Japan's 2023 WBC title run
It was fitting that the last out of the 2023 World Baseball Classic saw Shohei Ohtani face off against Mike Trout. The two have been teammates with the Los Angeles Angels since Ohtani arrived in the US in 2018. They have combined for four MVP Awards, 12 All-Star Games and 10 Silver Slugger Awards.
Trout vs Ohtani lived up to the HYPE! #WorldBaseballClassic https://t.co/Z8aZAjpDRg
"Trout vs Ohtani lived up to the HYPE! #WorldBaseballClassic" - World Baseball Classic
Ohtani held his nerve to strikeout Trout and claim Japan's third World Baseball Classic title.
Japan won the event in 2006 and followed that up with a repeat at the 2009 tournament. They have never finished outside the bottom three in the WBC and are the only nation with multiple titles.
Like the rest of us, Lars Nootbaar was in awe of the sensational Ohtani. He went on to say that "the guy is unbelievable." For baseball fans everywhere, that compliment might feel like an understatement.