In Tokyo, the World Baseball Classic has begun—but for many fans, it feels like something else entirely.
For Group C in Japan, the tournament has quickly become the Shohei Ohtani show.
Shohei Ohtani Takes Center Stage in Tokyo as World Baseball Classic Fever Sweeps Japan
TOKYO — The tournament is called the World Baseball Classic, but inside the Tokyo Dome this week, one name dominates every conversation, every jersey rack, and every camera lens.
Shohei Ohtani.
From towering banners hanging across the stadium to merchandise stands overflowing with Ohtani jerseys priced around $125, the Dodgers superstar has transformed Japan’s Group C stage into something resembling a global celebration of baseball’s biggest icon.
As Japan prepares to open its WBC campaign against Taiwan, the energy surrounding Ohtani has already turned the tournament into a spectacle.
For fans flooding into Tokyo Dome, the mission is simple: witness history.
The Center of the Baseball Universe
Even before the first official game began, hundreds of fans packed the stadium hoping to see Ohtani during batting practice.
When he skipped the session — choosing instead to conserve energy before the tournament — many were disappointed. But the decision only reinforced the anticipation surrounding his appearances once the real games begin.
Despite arriving in Japan to enormous hype, Ohtani has yet to ignite offensively in exhibition play, going 0-for-5 against Japanese league teams.
Still, few believe the slow start will last.
When Ohtani steps into the batter’s box during the WBC, the entire stadium tends to hold its breath.
Japan Chasing Another Championship
Japan enters the 2026 World Baseball Classic as the defending champion, and expectations across the country are enormous.
Three years ago, the team delivered one of the most iconic moments in international baseball history when Japan defeated the United States 3–2 in the championship game.
The final scene instantly became legendary: Shohei Ohtani striking out Mike Trout — his Angels teammate at the time — to secure the title.
That dramatic finish elevated the WBC’s global popularity and cemented Ohtani as the face of international baseball.
Now Japan hopes to repeat the magic.
Group C includes Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, and the Czech Republic, with the top two teams advancing to the quarterfinals in the United States.
On paper, Japan is widely expected to move forward.
Ohtani: Older, But Still the Star
At 31 years old, Ohtani joked during a brief press conference that he’s beginning to feel like a veteran among the younger players joining the national team.
“Every time I come back, there are more younger players,” he said with a smile.
“So I feel like I’m getting old.”
But if anything, his influence on the next generation has only grown stronger.
For many young stars in the tournament, Ohtani isn’t just an opponent — he’s the player who inspired them to pursue baseball at the highest level.
A Global Role Model
One of those players is Travis Bazzana, Australia’s starting second baseman and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Guardians.
Bazzana openly calls Ohtani his idol.
“I personally believe he’s the greatest of all time,” Bazzana said. “He represents work ethic and mastering your craft.”
But admiration will quickly give way to competition.
“When the game starts,” Bazzana added, “you can’t focus on who’s across the field.”
A Lineup Built to Dominate
Ohtani leads a Japanese lineup packed with serious offensive firepower.
Alongside him are MLB sluggers such as Seiya Suzuki, Munetaka Murakami, and Kazuma Okamoto, forming one of the most dangerous batting orders in the tournament.
The pitching staff, however, has changed since Japan’s 2023 championship run.
Stars like Roki Sasaki, Shota Imanaga, and Yu Darvish are no longer part of the roster.
Instead, the team’s pitching hopes rest largely on Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Ohtani’s Dodgers teammate and the reigning World Series MVP.
The Pitching Question
For now, Ohtani is expected to serve exclusively as a hitter during the tournament.
The Dodgers are protecting his arm ahead of the MLB season, limiting his role after returning to two-way duties.
Still, when asked whether he might pitch if the opportunity arose, Ohtani left a small hint of intrigue.
“It’s hard to say,” he admitted. “But if Mike Trout shows up, it’s tempting.”
Trout, however, will not participate this year due to insurance complications.
A Tournament Built Around One Star
As the tournament unfolds, Japan’s championship hopes will once again revolve around its biggest star.
But beyond the statistics and expectations, something else is happening in Tokyo.
The World Baseball Classic is bringing together nations, fans, and generations of players inspired by one extraordinary athlete.
And in Japan this week, the spotlight couldn’t be brighter.
Because wherever Shohei Ohtani plays, baseball becomes must-watch theater.
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