The Los Angeles Dodgers were selected to begin the regular season with an international series for a second year in a row, and after playing in the Seoul Series in 2024, they visited Japan behind much more fanfare.
That of course was directly tied to becoming the overwhelming favorite MLB franchise in the country because of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki.
While the Dodgers played two exhibition games at the Tokyo Dome and faced the Chicago Cubs in the Tokyo Series, their trip also afforded the team to sightsee and take in all the culture had to offer.
Among other visits, Dodgers players took trips to the Pokémon headquarters, TOKYO SKYTREE, MICHELIN-starred restaurant and Tsukiji Nippon Fish Port Market.
Some players also were part of special appearances with various brands.
Dodgers’ reaction to Tokyo visit
Blake Snell
“I would say walking around, it’s a very clean and very beautiful city,” Snell said of Tokyo. “I was aware of that, but even going out — I’ve been going out every day — and seeing that has been pretty shocking how beautiful the city is.”
Dave Roberts
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts visited Japan during the offseason and was appreciative of returning, but he also sensed players were ready to return stateside.
“This has been a great trip, but I do think I speak for the players,” Roberts acknowledged. “We’re ready to win a ballgame tonight, get back home and get back to our regular lives and routine. But it’s been a tremendous experience.”
Roberts then shared a heartfelt message for Tokyo after the Dodgers swept the Cubs.
“To the city of Tokyo and the country of Japan, on behalf of the Dodgers and Major League Baseball, we just want to say thank you,” he said. “You guys were all such great hosts and hopefully we put on a great show. Thank you.”
Tommy Edman
“It’s been a lot of fun to see the passion of the Japanese fans. We hear about how the Dodgers have this great presence in Japan, but it’s different to experience it firsthand,” Tommy Edman said.
“The fans were really great these four games. I even got to meet some fans out on the street when we were walking around on the off days. You can just see the passion that they have for the game of baseball. We really appreciate that and hope more and more Japanese fans start to root for the Dodgers.”
KIKÉ HERNÁNDEZ
“Obviously the passion of the fans,” answered Kiké Hernández when asked what he will remember most.
“It’s something I got to experience during the All-Star Series in 2018, but playing alongside Roki, Shohei, Yoshinobu and also seeing Seiya and Shota on the other side, how passionate and how much they love their players kind of reminds me of playing baseball back home in Latin America — Puerto Rico, Dominican, Venezuela. Those are really passionate countries as well for their baseball.
“As far as memories, I think the most special one for me was my daughter seeing snow for the first time ever. We’ve built some incredible core memories, and I know that for my wife and myself, it’s a trip we’ll never forget. And I’m pretty sure my 4-year-old is never going to forget coming to Japan, going to Disney Sea a couple days ago and seeing snow for the first time, I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a memorable memory for her.”
MAX MUNCY
“It’s been fun, it’s been a unique experience,” Max Muncy said. “We’ve all enjoyed every single second of it and we’re thankful to be able to do this. It was a lot, but we’re thankful to be able to do it. I think now that it’s over we’re ready to get back home.”
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