Swallows Slugger Steals Show in Samurai Japan Showdown

13:48 JST, February 22, 2023
San Diego Padres ace Yu Darvish, lower left, and other players watch as a pitch hit by Tokyo Yakult Swallows slugger Munetaka Murakami sails over the fence during live-situation batting practice for the Japan national team, known as Samurai Japan, on Tuesday in Miyazaki in preparation for next month’s World Baseball Classic. “It’s a little sad to have a public execution in a place like this,” joked Darvish of his first encounter with Murakami, who last season belted 56 home runs and won the Central League batting triple crown. A crowd of 18,356 gave Darvish a loud ovation as he took the mound, then cheered again when Murakami blasted a two-seam fastball over the fence.
"Sports" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Things to Know about the Sports Betting Case against the Ex-Interpreter for Baseball’s Shohei Ohtani
-
Ichiro Thanks Wife, Mentor after Hall of Fame Vote; Calls Cooperstown Entry His ‘Greatest Recognition as Player’
-
Mongolian Hoshoryu Still Coming to Grips with Remarkable Victory that Propelled Him to Sumo’s Highest Rank
-
Japan Sumo Association Officially Promotes Hoshoryu to Yokozuna; Becomes 6th from Mongolia, 74th Overall to Hold Top Rank
-
Sumo: Hoshoryu Captures New Year Title in 3-Way Playoff
JN ACCESS RANKING