Why are Cubs and Dodgers playing in Japan in the middle of March?
New York TimesTOKYO — For Saturday’s first exhibition game between the Chicago Cubs and Hanshin Tigers, the Tokyo Dome was packed with an announced crowd of 41,978. “An amazing cultural experience, an amazing team-bonding experience and getting to come to the Tokyo Dome today is the start of an amazing baseball experience.” For Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who was born in Okinawa, it’s a homecoming. “But this is our first opportunity to come to the country of Japan, city of Tokyo and to see Japanese people come support us in their home country.” For the players involved, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip that also includes a check for $70,000 each. “Ohtani’s like Justin Bieber times 10 over there, so it’s probably going to be insane,” Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow said. “I’m looking forward to it,” Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman said.
History of this topic
Same Game, Different Flavor: How Baseball in Japan Offers a Unique Experience
India Today
Team gatherings and cultural immersion: Dodgers hope Tokyo trip ‘galvanizes’ chemistry
LA Times
Imanaga honored to be part of historic pitching matchup when Cubs face the Dodgers in Japan
Associated Press
Japan celebrates as Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto win World Series with Dodgers
The Independent
Japan Gets Ready to Cheer on Dodgers, Ohtani in World Series
Associated Press
Dodgers, Cubs to open 2025 season in Japan, Shohei Ohtani’s first MLB games in home country
LA Times
‘He is starting to become that guy’: Yoshinobu Yamamoto shines in Dodgers’ victory
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