Takumi from Japan 🇯🇵

Yoshinobu Yamamoto after the game. “I really wanted to get through that third inning.” Yamamoto didn't hide his frustration after today's outing. In the third inning, after a borderline pitch to Brice Turang was called a ball, Yamamoto tapped his cap and appeared to consider an ABS challenge. But in the end, he decided not to challenge the call. Here's what he said about that decision: “I thought it was a good pitch, but it was a close call, and I wasn't completely confident myself. That's basically it.” Even though he appeared frustrated with the call, he ultimately trusted his own judgment and chose not to challenge it. He also spoke honestly about his inability to get through the inning. “I wanted to battle through it, but in the end, I left a pitch over the plate and got hit.” Yamamoto admitted that he doesn't yet know the exact reason for his struggles today. He plans to review the video and analyze what happened. There's no doubt this was a frustrating outing. But Yamamoto has repeatedly shown that he can learn from setbacks, make adjustments, and deliver when it matters most. The question now is how he'll respond the next time he takes the mound. I believe in Yoshinobu Yamamoto's ability to make adjustments. This man will find a way to answer back on the mound.

Shohei Ohtani is unquestionably a superstar. But why is he a superstar? Because he is truly one of a kind. Just look at everything Ohtani has accomplished. An elite pitcher. An elite hitter. An elite baserunner. Has there ever been another player quite like him? But behind all of that is a level of pressure that most of us can’t even imagine. The physical demands of being a two-way player. The mental pressure that comes with it. Yet he continues to overcome those challenges and carve out a path that no one has ever walked before. Has there ever been a player who has loved baseball this much— who has worked this hard, studied this deeply, and devoted so much of himself to the game? There will be times when he’s at his best, and of course, there will be times when things don’t go his way. Those are the moments when we should support him the most. Thank you, Shohei, for allowing us to witness history. Thank you for making us witnesses to your legend. 🇯🇵🇺🇸⚾🔥

🔥 Shohei Ohtani isn’t just swinging a bat. He’s constantly searching for the perfect one. Ohtani’s obsession with his bat is actually incredible. The material. The length. The weight. The shape. The balance. And above all else: how it feels when he swings it. ⚾️ For Ohtani, a bat isn’t just a piece of equipment. It’s a weapon designed to maximize his swing. Ohtani has said that one of the most important things when choosing a bat is whether he can swing it comfortably and naturally. That’s why he doesn’t simply look at the numbers and decide, “This is the best bat.” He swings it. He hits with it. He feels it. And if he thinks there’s something better out there… He changes it. Throughout his career, Ohtani has experimented with different materials, including ash, birch and maple, while continuing to search for the perfect fit. And then there’s the length. Ohtani has experimented with bats around 35 inches and 32 ounces. That’s a long, heavy bat. It certainly isn’t the easiest thing to control. But if Ohtani believes it can help maximize his swing, he’s willing to use it. And it’s not simply about hitting more home runs. Change the length, and the feel of the swing changes. Change the balance, and the way the barrel moves changes. Even the smallest adjustment can affect contact, bat speed and how he drives the ball. That’s why Ohtani pays attention to details most people would never even notice. And here’s another thing I love about him: When a new bat trend takes over MLB, Ohtani doesn’t automatically jump on it just because everyone else is doing it. If his current bat allows him to make his best swing… Why change? That’s the mindset. Ohtani isn’t searching for a bat that simply helps him hit home runs. He’s searching for the bat that allows him to make his best possible swing. Every day, behind the scenes, he experiments, adjusts, tests and keeps searching. And those tiny adjustments can eventually become 110+ MPH exit velocities and monster home runs. 💥 The amazing thing about Shohei Ohtani isn’t just what he does during games. It’s the obsession with getting just a little bit better when nobody is watching. He’s still searching for the perfect swing. And maybe the perfect bat is part of that journey. 🦄🔥 #ShoheiOhtani #Dodgers

Even Jacob Misiorowski was left wondering… “How do you even hit this guy?” 🤯🔥 Brewers manager Pat Murphy and Cy Young contender Jacob Misiorowski had some serious praise for Yoshinobu Yamamoto after seeing him up close. Murphy was amazed by Yamamoto’s ability to make adjustments. The Brewers made him throw 26 pitches in the 1st inning and constantly tried to disrupt his rhythm. But starting in the 2nd, Yamamoto completely changed how he attacked the zone and adjusted his pitch selection. Murphy called his ability to adjust “almost otherworldly.” And his biggest weapon? He doesn’t let hitters figure him out. He makes them stop trying to figure him out. Misiorowski was equally impressed. Watching Yamamoto from the mound, he noticed a level of calmness and precision that simply doesn’t come across on TV. He watched Yamamoto make adjustment after adjustment and even found himself looking at Murphy like: “How are you supposed to hit this guy?” Both of them recognized the same thing: Yamamoto doesn’t just have elite stuff. He has the mentality of a true ace. The precision. The adjustments. The composure. The mental toughness. Yamamoto’s pitching isn’t just baseball. It’s an art form. 🇯🇵🔥⚾️

Shohei Ohtani embodies the spirit of the samurai. ⚾⚔️

Hello to all my American friends！🇺🇲 Kiké Hernández shares why Yoshinobu Yamamoto is one of the most special pitchers he's ever seen. 👀🔥 ⭐ On adapting to MLB He came to MLB at 24, and that's still very young in baseball. The Dodgers' clubhouse is full of established stars, and on top of that, he had to deal with a language barrier. But he never changed who he was. He always believed, 'I have my routine, and this is what works best for me.' I really respect that. ⭐ On his discipline His workouts are unique. He doesn't lift heavy weights like most players. He follows his own training program with his personal trainer. Even when the clubhouse is loud, he's completely locked in—working on balance drills or breathing exercises with a straw. People try to distract him, but nothing breaks his focus. That level of consistency is just crazy. ⭐ On watching him throw "Watching him play catch is one of the most impressive things I've ever seen. He has one of the most beautiful throwing motions in baseball. Every throw has a purpose. If it doesn't feel right, he'll reset and do it again. Even from 400 feet away, he throws on a perfect line as if he's pitching from the mound. He's an absolute animal. ⭐ On his winning mentality Everywhere he goes, he wins. MVP in Japan, Sawamura Award winner, World Baseball Classic champion, Olympic gold medalist, and now a World Series champion with the Dodgers. Losing simply isn't an option for him. When he steps on the mound, that stadium belongs to him. ⭐ On his talent He has the power to overpower hitters like a flamethrower, but he also has Greg Maddux-level command. He can paint the bottom corners with incredible precision, and he does it so effortlessly. His delivery is smooth, repeatable, and beautiful to watch. Kiké's admiration says it all. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is one of the most complete pitchers in the game. 💙⚾

Hello to all my American friends！🇺🇲 Shohei Ohtani is truly immeasurable—ordinary common sense simply doesn't apply to him. When he steps up to bat, he captivates people. When he becomes a baserunner, he steals bases with ease. When he takes the mound, he overwhelms people with his fierce, intense focus. In practice, he's always stoic, studious, and serious, and even brings a positive influence to the whole team. When he relaxes, he has a smile like a boy who just loves baseball, and he lightens the mood in the clubhouse with a bit of playful mischief. I feel truly honored to be living in the same era as the greatest baseball player of all time. #ShoheiOhtani #Dodgers #LA

Hello to all my American friends！🇺🇲 Max Muncy shared some great thoughts about his baseball journey, the Dodgers, and Shohei Ohtani. ⭐ On making the All-Star team again: "It's an honor." After five years, he's especially excited to share the experience with his kids. ⭐ On his career: After being designated for assignment and nearly walking away from baseball, Muncy said rediscovering the joy of the game completely changed his career. ⭐ On chasing another World Series: The Dodgers aren't focused on winning three straight championships—they're focused on winning today's game. One step at a time. ⭐ On Shohei Ohtani: Muncy joked that when Shohei walks to the plate, nobody even goes to the bathroom. Everyone stops to watch because they know something incredible might happen. ⭐ On staying with the Dodgers: The winning culture, his family's life in Los Angeles, and the trust he has in the organization are the biggest reasons he wanted to remain a Dodger. It's always interesting to hear how much respect Shohei earns from his own teammates. 💙⚾

I still remember the huge impact the first-gen LS400 (Celsior) had when it was released. Its design and performance were just mind-blowing, and it instantly became my dream car. Does anyone else have a car that left a mark like that on you?

When you really think about it, Shohei Ohtani is absolutely unreal. It's like Pitcher Shohei and Batter Shohei used Fusion and became the ultimate two-way superstar. ⚾🔥 Elite on the mound. Elite at the plate. #ShoheiOhtani #Dodgers

Cruising through the Japanese night.

Hello from Japan! Just curious to see how far this post travels. Could you drop a comment and let me know where you're based? Excited to hear from all over the world! #GlobalConnection #TravelPost

Choose one and keep it forever: 🇯🇵 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 🇯🇵 Toyota Supra MK4 🇯🇵 Mazda RX-7 FD 🇯🇵 Honda NSX No changing your answer.