DODGER Fans In Japan Experience A Lot
The 2024 World Series trophy is among the many pieces of Dodger history on display at the exhibition, scheduled to run until March 30. The installation features an immersive experience in a dome and a look at the team through various exhibits.
Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
Japanese fans attended Los Angeles Dodgers games in such high numbers last season that Michael Spetner, a team executive, joked that “you might think you were in Tokyo” anytime the team was at home at Dodger Stadium.
The club is now trying to bring part of the LA experience directly to fans in Japan with an exhibition titled, Dodgers Experience at MLB Tokyo Series. The exhibition opened on Wednesday at Tokyo Node, in Toranomon Hills Station Tower in the capital’s Minato Ward.
The 2024 World Series trophy is among the many pieces of Dodger history on display at the exhibition, scheduled to run until March 30. The installation features an immersive experience in a dome and a look at the team through various exhibits.
There also is a special corner dedicated to Ohtani’s historic 50-50 campaign last year and displays featuring game-used uniforms and gear from each contest of the 2024 World Series, which saw the Dodgers defeat the New York Yankees in five games.
Visitors can take photos of the World Series trophy, and those who purchase Champions Pass tickets can take photos standing beside the trophy and also try on the championship rings team members received after their 2020 World Series win over the Tampa Bay Rays.
“(It’s something) which has really never been done before in an exhibition setting,” Spetner, the team’s vice president of business analytics, said during Wednesday’s opening ceremony, which was also attended by former Dodgers pitcher Takashi Saito.
MLB: Final score of game 1 of the Tokyo Series in Japan between Dodgers and Cubs
Before the team’s 4-1 win in Tokyo, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced their 26-man roster and released their injured list, which includes nine pitchers.
Two pitchers have been placed on the 60-day IL, which opened up 40-man roster spots for others.
Here is a look at the nine names currently on the IL for L.A. and the specific injuries that landed them there:
Tony Gonsolin, RHP (15-day IL, back tightness)
Brusdar Graterol, RHP (60-day IL, right shoulder surgery)
Michael Grove, RHP (60-day IL, right shoulder surgery)
Eduardo Henriquez, RHP (15-day IL, left foot fracture)
Kyle Hurt, RHP (15-day IL, right elbow surgery)
Clayton Kershaw, LHP (15-day IL, left toe surgery)
Michael Kopech, RHP (15-day IL, right shoulder impingement)
Evan Phillips, RHP (15-day IL, right rotator cuff strain)
Emmett Sheehan, RHP (15-day IL, right elbow surgery)
Grove and Graterol were put on 60-day IL to move Roki Sasaki and Luis Garcia onto the 40-man roster. Grove is out the entire year while Graterol is expected to return late in the season. Shortstop Mookie Betts did not play in the two-game series against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo due to an illness that’s caused him to lose 15 pounds, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Monday. Betts, an eight-time All-Star, has been battling an illness for the past week and although he’s feeling better, Roberts said he’s still trying to regain his strength.
“He’s not going to play in these two games,” Roberts said. “When you’re dehydrated, that’s what opens a person up to soft tissue injuries. We’re very mindful of that.
Missing from the lineup again Wednesday were Dodgers MVPs Mookie Betts (illness) and Freddie Freeman (rib discomfort). Freeman said after Tuesday’s game that there was a “75 percent chance” he’d be in the lineup Wednesday, but Dodgers skipper Roberts said the team was being cautious despite the first baseman feeling “much better than yesterday.”
Now it’s back to spring training for seven more days. Twenty-eight of the league’s 30 teams will be in action for domestic opening day including the Dodgers and Cubs, with the Rays and Rockies beginning their seasons the following day.
