Japanese players set standard for respectful behavior in baseball

TOKYO — One of the more endearing stories about this past WBC was involving Roki Sasaki, who slammed Czech player Willie Escala in the leg with a 101-mph fastball leaving the batter writhing in pain. The next morning, Sasaki showed up at the Czech team hotel, the Hotel New Otani with two large bags of candy, by way of apology. He also posed for a photograph and signed an autograph.

Escala termed Sasaki “a class act,” as he boarded the team bus in front of the famed hotel.

Japanese players have always been known for their class, A pitcher tipping his cap in apology after hitting a batter, as opposed to the surly scowl on most MLB pitchers after a hit by pitch as if to invite a brawl. Ohtani, tipping his cap and bowing his head in greeting to the home plate umpire and even the opposing manager as he steps in for his first at-bat of the game. You seldom see Americans doing that.