In Toyama, Japan, Jun Mizuno has witnessed a remarkable shift in the atmosphere around his bar, Otoko Bar Mizuno Sake Store. The establishment, known for its whiskey highballs and lemon soju sodas, now opens its doors at 8 a.m., allowing patrons to gather before work and cheer for their national hero, Shohei Ohtani. This change was prompted by Ohtani's debut season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, culminating in a fervid morning watch party for Game 5 of the World Series, where the Dodgers triumphed over the Yankees 7-6. “The entire country is thrilled,” said Mizuno, displaying a massive banner of Ohtani, illustrating the excitement surrounding Japanese fans.
Historically, baseball has been deeply rooted in Japanese culture, but Ohtani’s participation alongside teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the World Series has heightened the sport's profile internationally. The games' viewership numbers reflect this change. Major League Baseball reported that approximately 15.2 million people in Japan watched each of the first two games on average, even surpassing the average of 14.5 million viewers in the United States.
With the World Series games starting at 9 a.m. in Japan, many citizens tuned in during breakfast or while at work. Bars like Mizuno’s took the opportunity to offer special breakfast sets, like eggs, bacon, and cheese toast, pairing the national pastime with culinary traditions, thus transforming the viewing experience into a communal celebration.
The fervor for Ohtani is not just a reflection of his sportsmanship but a symbol of national pride, showing how sports can transcend borders and unite communities in shared excitement. As baseball continues to thrive in Japan, the cultural significance of these moments paints a broader picture of unity and celebration among fans worldwide.
Historically, baseball has been deeply rooted in Japanese culture, but Ohtani’s participation alongside teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the World Series has heightened the sport's profile internationally. The games' viewership numbers reflect this change. Major League Baseball reported that approximately 15.2 million people in Japan watched each of the first two games on average, even surpassing the average of 14.5 million viewers in the United States.
With the World Series games starting at 9 a.m. in Japan, many citizens tuned in during breakfast or while at work. Bars like Mizuno’s took the opportunity to offer special breakfast sets, like eggs, bacon, and cheese toast, pairing the national pastime with culinary traditions, thus transforming the viewing experience into a communal celebration.
The fervor for Ohtani is not just a reflection of his sportsmanship but a symbol of national pride, showing how sports can transcend borders and unite communities in shared excitement. As baseball continues to thrive in Japan, the cultural significance of these moments paints a broader picture of unity and celebration among fans worldwide.
