Alex Rodriguez has seen baseball at its peak, but Shohei Ohtani’s Tokyo Series heroics hit distinctively. Watching Ohtani own the moment, A-Rod felt time rewind. The chants, the roaring crowd, and the baseball euphoria—it was Japan all over again. For Rodriguez, playing in Japan was not just another career milestone. It was an experience, a cultural immersion, and a moment that deepened his love for the game globally.
That same energy filled the Tokyo Dome in 2025. Shohei Ohtani crushed his first home run of the season, helping the Dodgers to get a 6-3 win over the Cubs. The Dodgers two-game sweep was also electrifying. Japan’s passion for baseball was on full display, reminding everyone why the sport thrives there. Rodriguez, who played in Japan with the Yankees in 2004, felt the nostalgia.
“My first game, I am facing Victor Zambrano. He threw me a good four-seam, I put the bat on it, hit a double and I was psyched. But in Japan, of all places—it was a really, really cool experience.” That year, he had a .286 batting average, 36 home runs, 106 RBIs, 112 runs scored, and 28 stolen bases. The Yankees also played a series in Japan, with him hitting his first hit as a Yankee in that series.
Alex Rodriguez highlighted Shohei Ohtani’s 2023 World Baseball Classic moment. The one where he struck out Mike Trout in front of 75 million viewers. “Baseball in Japan? It is like, football in America. But ten times bigger,” A-Rod said. For veterans like, him, watching the generational talent thrive is not just exciting—it is a full-circle moment. The passion, the spectacle, and the global effect of the game—it is all coming together. And Ohtani is at the center, bridging cultures.
Beyond Shohei Ohtani, how Japan reinforced MLB’s global extension
The 2025 Tokyo Series was not just about Ohtani. It was a celebration of Japan’s deep baseball roots. Dave Roberts saw the passion firsthand, comparing it to baseball in Latin America. “In Tokyo, it is controlled chaos. In Latin America, playing winter ball—it is pure chaos, but in the best way. Both have a lot of passion,” the Dodgers manager said.
In addition, Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga, now in his first full MLB season, called pitching in Japan a ‘dream come true’. The excitement was only enhanced with Roki Sasaki making his MLB debut. The 23-year-old Japanese phenom lived up to the hype. He pitched 3 innings, enabling 1 run on 1 hit, striking out 3 and walking 5 batters while throwing 56 pitches. His electric performance in the Tokyo series proved why he is Japan’s most promising young arm. Cubs outfielder Ian Happ felt the atmosphere, too. He said, “You can feel how much this game means to the fans here.”
Beyond the show, the Tokyo Series strengthened MLB’s connection with Japanese baseball. The Dodgers, always ahead in scouting, have been watching closely. Three talents stand out: Hiroto Saiki, Munetaka Murakami, and Teruaki Sato. Saiki dominated the Dodgers in a practice game, catching their attention. Murakami, Japan’s best power hitter, remains on the MLB’s radar. In addition, Sato, after a powerful 2024 NPB season, made his case with a solid Tokyo Series performance.
The 2025 Tokyo Series was not just related to nostalgia. It was proof of Japan’s enhancing effect on MLB. Ohtani guided the transformation, but, rising stars like, Sasaki kept the energy alive. For Alex Rodriguez, it was a reminder of his own journey in Japan. For the Dodgers, it was a look into baseball’s upcoming scope. As MLB extends globally, one question remains—who will be the next Japanese superstar to take over the majors? Share your take on this below.
The post Alex Rodriguez Reminisces Japan Playing Days as Shohei Ohtani’s Tokyo Series Heroics and Passionate Fans Ignite Nostalgia appeared first on EssentiallySports.
