Controversial pitcher Trevor Bauer has found a home in Japan

TOKYO — Trevor Bauer has clearly found a new home in Japan. Just before his first start in the Central League, a Yokohama department store unveiled a welcoming seven-story poster of the former Cy Young Award winner on its façade while mini-versions of the poster appeared all around the city. After winning the June MVP with four wins, Bauer’s popularity increased and he was voted onto the All-Star team, generating even more attention. He held an impromptu pre-game pitching clinic for other pitchers before the first of the two All-Star Games, coaching third base in another and pitching in another. One sports daily referred to it as “The Bauer Festival.”

When it became known that Bauer was partial to a certain Yokohama restaurant, Midtown BBQ, located very close to the Stadium, and raved about it on social media, Bay Stars fans flocked to the place.