Shohei Ohtani's popularity in the U.S. continues to soar

TOKYO — How popular is Shohei Ohtani in the United States?

Well, here’s one example. I have a friend, a reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times based in Las Vegas, named Rob Miech, who is a big Ohtani fan, who wrote to me recently and said that he and his mother celebrated when Ohtani was unanimously selected MVP. “My mother, 84,  is a big Ohtani fan, as well,” he said, “She awakened at 3:00 a.m. on consecutive days back in March during the WBC to watch him in all his glory, before his parents and fans inside Tokyo Dome. THAT was an incredible atmosphere, and what a cap to that tournament, him and Trout facing off …”

“She loved Ohtani-san from the get-go,” said Rob, “his manners, his nodding to the umpire in his first at-bat every game, his politeness which so runs counter to the average (spoiled) American baseballer.”