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Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki watches the Lakers play the Washington Wizards on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena. The Japanese star learned how to make the L.A. fingers sign from Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, a fellow countryman. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Roki Sasaki was shown Tuesday night on the Crypto.com Arena video screen during the first half of the Lakers’ game against the Washington Wizards.
The crowd went nuts, giving the 23-year-old Japanese pitching phenom a louder and more enthusiastic response than many celebrities receive while attending Lakers games.
Sasaki should probably get used to such treatment from L.A. sports fans after agreeing to sign with the Dodgers last week.
Sasaki is a hard-throwing right hander who compiled a 2.10 earned-run average during his four seasons as a pro in Japan. While he may not have been familiar to many U.S. sports fans just a few short months ago, Sasaki became a household name — and a coveted free agent — during the MLB offseason.
After being posted last month by his Nippon Professional Baseball league club, the Chiba Lotte Marines, Sasaki effectively became eligible to sign with an MLB team when the international signing period opened Jan. 15. Two days later, Sasaki revealed via Instagram he had chosen the Dodgers.
Read more: ‘They all wanted him here.’ How Shohei Ohtani, other Dodgers helped recruit Roki Sasaki
Because Sasaki is under 25, MLB international signing rules limited him to taking a minor-league contract. He will receive a $6.5-million signing bonus and remain under team control for six years. He will be officially introduced by the team Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.
One night earlier, Sasaki was seated on the Lakers bench during pregame warmups, when he was greeted by one of the biggest names in sports.
“Welcome to the city,” Lakers superstar LeBron James said after initiating a courtside handshake with Sasaki. “Good to see you.”
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura — who was born in Toyama, Japan, and attended high school in Sendai — also made it a point to connect with Sasaki before the game. The two athletes shared an exchange in Japanese, and…
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Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2025-01-22 21:27:00
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