SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Yoshinobu Yamamoto reflects on his first memory of the World Baseball Classic, which happened while he was in class. He was in fifth grade at Inabe Elementary School in Bizen when his teacher turned on the TV to watch the finals, featuring Japan and South Korea.
The details are a bit fuzzy for him, but one moment stands out—Ichiro Suzuki’s two-run hit in the 10th inning that clinched the game for Japan.
Fast forward a few years, and that young boy is now on the mound as part of Japan’s victory in the 2023 WBC, where he pitched alongside stars like Shohei Ohtani and Yu Darvish.
Now 27, Yamamoto is gearing up to serve as the ace for Samurai Japan this time around.
He mentioned, “I want to prepare as much as I can for my games. I just want to give it my all.”
Interestingly, despite the significance of the WBC, Japanese players typically avoid comparing it to the World Series. Yamamoto seems to agree, saying they are “different things.”
The WBC is crucial for Japan, especially after Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called on Yamamoto in Game 7 of the World Series. This decision upset several Japanese reporters who felt he was risking his health when the highly anticipated WBC was just months away.
As the top pitcher for Samurai Japan, Yamamoto is set to make his next appearance in their opening game against Taiwan on March 6, taking place in Tokyo.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” he expressed. “Having played in Taiwan before, I know how passionate their fans are. I think it will be a festive atmosphere, and I’m preparing to do my best.”
Yamamoto played in two games as a reliever during the Premier 12 tournament in Taiwan back in 2019. To prepare for the WBC, he started two games for the Dodgers in the Cactus League, impressing despite allowing a couple of runs in one outing.
Though he admitted he didn’t pitch perfectly, he seemed content with his performance, stating, “Physically, I’m in good shape. My control wasn’t great in the first inning, but I found my rhythm by the second.”
Despite his heavy workload last season, Yamamoto never considered opting out of the WBC. He says he didn’t feel unusually fatigued after the preseason, although he did experience mental exhaustion for the first time.
After his last game, he planned to head back to Japan to join Samurai Japan in Osaka. The Dodgers made sure to discuss his limits during the WBC to ensure he feels comfortable.
When asked about how he would pitch against Taiwan, he playfully replied, “That’s a secret.”
Tournament regulations restrict pitchers to 65 pitches in group stage games, 80 in the quarterfinals, and 95 in the championship round, with a four-day break after throwing 50 or more pitches.
Roberts expressed hope that Yamamoto could advance his pitch count as the tournament progresses, aiming for an effective start.
However, Yamamoto seems focused entirely on the WBC, stating, “I just want to be at my best and play as hard as I can.”
After all, he might just inspire the next generation of players watching back home.
