The Tokyo Series opening day was more like a cultural moment. For the Dodgers, the game felt like a homecoming because of an overwhelming wave of Japanese fans. And catcher Will Smith caught this moment to call Japan “home.” And now, it seems that the Dodgers’ success in Japan was more than just wins on the field—it was a link that ran deeper.
After the Opening Day win, Will Smith could not hide his admiration for the country of the rising sun. Thousands of Dodgers fans flooded Tokyo Dome, making the place feel like Dodger Stadium East. And it was not just within the stadium!
Walking through the city, the star saw LA caps everywhere. Shows how much Japan has embraced the team. Evidently, this love is not just related to one game; the country’s passion for baseball mirrors LA’s, establishing a connection beyond boundaries.
“Kinda felt like, a home game with all the Dodger fans here,” Smith shared. “Pretty loud at times, but just cool. We have so many fans here. You have seen walking the streets, LA hats everywhere. Just to be capable of playing in front of our fans here who support us from across the ocean, it is pretty cool and special.”
And with that marvelous feeling, the MLB 2025 season officially began with Los Angeles dominating the field.
“Kinda felt like a home game with all the Dodger fans here.”
Will Smith talks with @kirsten_watson after the Dodgers 4-1 win over the Cubs on Opening Day.#TokyoSeries pic.twitter.com/aOcnUnLTPf
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) March 18, 2025
Yoshinobu Yamamoto gave his best. His game said why he is worth $325 million, while the bullpen shut down the Cubs. Will Smith focused on how the team executed their game plan, relying on Yamamoto’s electric splitter and a deep bullpen to secure a statement victory. “Yeah, we just went out there and Yoshin is going to attack,” he said in his postgame interview. “He is going to attack the zone. He is going to go right at guys. That is what he did tonight. They only had one good swing on it, the double in the gap. But yeah, went out there, gave us five good innings, and hoped to get the win.”
Smith also made an effect at the plate, helping the team take control of the game. His RBI single in the fifth inning brought home Teoscar Hernández, capping off a three-run rally that gave Los Angeles a 3-1 lead.
Probably the overwhelming cheering from Japanese fans boosted the team’s morale! But, it definitely highlighted the universal language of baseball, bridging cultures and continents.
Is Japan cheering for the league or just the Dodgers?
The Dodgers are not just dominating MLB—the team is managing Japan’s baseball fever. With Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the powerful addition of Rōki Sasaki, the Dodgers have effectively turned into Japan’s second home team.
Merchandise sales? Skyrocketing. Japanese broadcasts? Must-watch. The team’s availability has provided the NPB audience with a rooting interest in an MLB team, something only limited teams have ever accomplished at this amount. The Dodgers’ investment in the country’s talent is not just related to winning games, it is about securing an international fanbase that extends the sport’s global reach.
However, there is a catch—Japan is cheering for the Dodgers, not necessarily for the league. In 2023, the country’s World Baseball Classic championship drew a massive 42.4% TV rating domestically. However, MLB’s Opening Day in Japan saw a fraction of that engagement. While Shohei Ohtani and Yamamoto bring attraction to the league, will such fans stay engaged when their stars are not playing? MLB needs such a passion to extend beyond individual icons and one team.
The challenge is making MLB itself just as appealing as the Dodgers. Whether it is marketing other teams, pushing rivalries, and extending global broadcasts, the league needs to ensure Japan is invested in the sport’s full landscape—not just LA’s takeover.
But one cannot deny that the Tokyo Series proved that the Dodgers are more than just an American powerhouse. They are an international brand. Will Smith’s praise for Japan was not just related to one game; it was related to baseball’s power to connect individuals. And with such dedicated love, could we see more MLB games on the international stage?
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