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Dodgers' Innovative Approach Unlocks Potential of Japanese Pitchers
17 Oct
Summary
- Dodgers provide "baseball boot camp" to interpreters of Japanese players
- Interpreter Will Ireton plays crucial role as "director of Japanese player operations"
- Dodgers' player development helps Japanese pitchers like Sasaki, Yamamoto, and Ohtani
The Los Angeles Dodgers have built an impressive infrastructure to maximize the talents of their Japanese players. When Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers' $325 million pitcher, arrived for spring training, the team quickly realized his interpreter, Yoshihiro "Hiro" Sonoda, lacked significant baseball experience. To address this, the Dodgers put Sonoda through a "baseball boot camp," immersing him in the intricacies of the sport.
The Dodgers' efforts extend beyond just Yamamoto. They have a dedicated "director of Japanese player operations and strategy," Will Ireton, who serves as a crucial bridge between the team's Japanese players and the coaching staff. Ireton, fluent in English, Japanese, and the language of baseball, accompanies the team's Japanese pitchers during key moments, ensuring effective communication.
This multilingual infrastructure has paid dividends for the Dodgers. Roki Sasaki, a 23-year-old Japanese phenom, struggled early in his rookie season but was able to turn things around with the help of the Dodgers' player development staff. Similarly, Yamamoto, an All-Star this season, and Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers' superstar two-way player, have thrived under the team's guidance.
The Dodgers' commitment to supporting their Japanese players, both on and off the field, has been a key factor in their postseason success. As the team continues its quest for a championship, their innovative approach to bridging cultural and linguistic barriers serves as a model for other organizations looking to maximize the potential of international talent.
