World Baseball Classic quarterfinals: Italy vs. Japan

World Baseball Classic fans react to Shohei Ohtani arriving in Miami for semifinals wearing a Czech Republic hat: "That's so awesome"

Modified Mar 17, 2023 21:09 GMT

Shohei Ohtani and Samurai Japan arrived in Miami on Friday before their World Baseball Classic semifinal matchup. They're a bit ahead of everyone else because they started their pool play early. They'll have a couple of days to rest and get ready, as the rest of the quarterfinal games take place on Friday and Saturday.

Stepping off the plane, a Czech Republic hat sat atop Ohtani's head. It's a great sign of respect from one of the best baseball players in the game right now.

Jomboy Media

@JomboyMedia

Shohei Ohtani is wearing a Czech Republic hat while arriving in Miami for the semifinals

The World Baseball Classic is incredible

If you are unaware, Team Czech Republic are unlike any other team in the tournament. Its roster consists of everyday working people who love the game of baseball. The team's manager, Pavel Chadim, is a neurosurgeon. The players taking the field for them consisted of firemen, teachers and other jobs of that nature.

It was quite impressive that the team was able to make it to the World Baseball Classic. The team will get another shot at the tournament the next time it rolls along, as it finished fourth in pool C. Only teams that finish last in their pool have to battle their way back to make it to the tournament.

"The same respect they show for him and his team" one fan tweeted.

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@WMonsy

@JomboyMedia The same respect they show for him and his team🫶

"That's so awesome. When he said respect he meant that," another fan tweeted.

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@baseballchain

@JomboyMedia That's so awesome. When he said respect he meant that

cinnamon bun

@notsofiacoppola

@JomboyMedia what a king

ricky

@ricky_184

@JomboyMedia common ohtani W

Not many carry themselves like Shohei Ohtani does. Team Czech Republic earned his respect, and he wanted to show the world.

Marc Pro®

@TheMarcPro

@JomboyMedia The worlds game

Rod

@rodb1619

@JomboyMedia Sportsmanship

melvyn_juris

@melvyn_juris

@JomboyMedia It’s like summer camp for professional baseball players lol. I remember I used to go to summer camp as a kid and meet all sorts of different people and we’d have fun for a couple of weeks. We’d all end up trading hats or shoes and other stuff. This is wholesome af.

Dom dom diddy dom dom

@Dubs__Only

@JomboyMedia I love seeing the players from the different countries embrace each other baseball is a beautiful thing

David J. SadFat™

@ZoopSoul

@JomboyMedia If you dislike Ohtani at this point, there is something wrong with you, not him.

It's hard to root against this guy. He's the perfect role model for younger athletes. Baseball is in a better place with Shohei Ohtani.

Can Shohei Ohtani and Samurai Japan capture their third World Baseball Classic title?

World Baseball Classic quarterfinals: Italy vs. Japan

Samurai Japan is unlike any other team in this tournament. It is the only team to have won multiple World Baseball Classic titles. It won the first WBC tournament held in 2006. It followed that by repeating as champion in 2009.

Samurai Japan is on a great path to winning another title. It is 5-0 after its 9-3 victory over Team Italy. The team awaits the winner of Team Puerto Rico and Team Mexico on Friday. A couple of days off should give Japan time to rest guys and get ready for the next round.

Samurai Japan will have its hands full in the semifinals as both Team Puerto Rico and Team Mexico are all full of MLB stars.

Edited by
Joseph Schiefelbein