We're rocketing toward the halfway point, and Asians in Baseball show no sign of slowing down!
Of course, we have to start by congratulating our 2024 All Stars! And Ryu Hyun Jin makes All Star history across leagues. Closer to home, the Dodgers celebrate Japanese Heritage Night, and we get into what Dodger Stadium is doing for the new influx of Japanese fans.
In position player news, Connor Wong brought back that dad strength from the paternity list, weird baserunning by Anthony Volpe leaves the door open for Masataka Yoshida to tie the game, Steven Kwan remains atop the leaderboard, and we get into the nitty gritty of what’s going on with Corbin Carroll.
Our pitchers have a lot going on: Yusei Kikuchi is a valuable trade chip as we approach the deadline, Kenta Maeda is straight up not having a good time, Sean Manaea continues to ride that Big Grimace Energy, Orion Kerkering proves he can hang with the big dawgs, and Yu Darvish goes on the Restricted List.
Lastly, in Ohtani Talk, Elly De La Cruz sets the new bar, Shohei’s “slump” continues but he still sets a couple of records, and we discuss the nightmare of what we think he will bring to this year's All Star Game red carpet.
ABC7 article about Dodger Stadium and the influx of Japanese fans: https://abc7.com/post/how-dodgers-shohei-ohtani-has-brought-new-wave/15030162/
Rob Refsnyder’s superman catch: https://www.mlb.com/redsox/video/josh-bell-lines-out-to-left-fielder-rob-refsnyder&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1720636262614551&usg=AOvVaw2PXm3WaywBoJNmSVXOy-vG
Volpe’s baserunning blunder: https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/yankees-anthony-volpe-explains-costly-mental-error-vs-red-sox-as-new-yorks-miserable-slide-continues/