S/ Sasaki’s extra!

Baseball player Sasaki Roki’s home prefecture of Iwate in northeastern Japan reacts with excitement after he announced his decision to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the same team as fellow Iwate native Ohtani Shohei.

S/ Iwate resident/ I think (choosing the Dodgers) was really good. I’d like the Japanese players to combine their strengths and work hard together.

S/ Iwate resident/ Amazing! I think it’s amazing that two players from Iwate are in the Dodgers.

S/ Iwate resident/ I would love to go and see a game where Roki pitches and Ohtani swings.

Iwate Nippo, the local paper’s special edition was handed out in Morioka city.

Japan will be watching over Sasaki on the world stage.