The 2025 Tokyo Series was a big hit on and off the field.
Off the field, the two-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs brought a high interest from baseball fans and non-baseball fans.
On the field, the series brought in a high number of viewers. MLB Communications team revealed that the series brought in 25 million viewers overall. It has easily become the most-watched MLB game ever played in Japan.
The last time MLB had a series played in Japan was in 2019 between the Oakland Athletics and the Seattle Mariners. The first game of that series brought in 5.6 million viewers; more than 19 million less than the 2025 series.
The 2024 Seoul Series set in Seoul, South Korea between the San Diego Padres and the Dodgers received 18.7 viewers; more than six million less than the Tokyo Series.
One of the biggest draws to the country of Japan was the starters from both teams, especially from the starting pitchers.
In game one, the Dodgers started Yoshinobu Yamamoto as pitcher and Shohei Ohtani as designated hitter while the Cubs started Shota Imanaga as pitcher. In game two, the Dodgers kept Ohtani at DH and started rookie Roki Sasaki at pitcher.
The Dodgers would take game one of the series over the Cubs with a 4-1 score. The following day, the Dodgers defeated the Cubs again with a 6-3 win, resulting in the series sweep.
Ohtani accumulated three hits, and three runs including a home run hit, one RBI, seven bases, two walks, and only strikeout in the two-game series.
The Fernandomania and the figure of Fernando Valenzuela himself continues to live on in the hearts of Mexicans and the fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he left a lasting mark during his time in the 1980s. His performance on the mound in Major League Baseball, along with his humility on and off the diamond, made the ‘Bull of Etchohuaquila’ a legend in MLB.
Upon his passing on October 22, 2024, one more star rose above Dodger Stadium and since then the Los Angeles franchise has kept him in constant remembrance. Now, it was in Japan, during the Tokyo Series games, where the Los Angeles Dodgers have begun a tribute to Fernanda Valenzuela that will last throughout the 2025 season.
A whole season’s tribute to Fernando Valenzuela
The Dodgers management devised a black circular patch with the number 34 in white, which will be placed on the sleeves of the uniform to pay tribute to the historic Mexican baseball player. All the uniforms worn by the team during the current year will bear the commemorative patch in allusion to the number he wore during his career in Los Angeles
It should be remembered that the “34” is only for “El Toro” Valenzuela after being retired in 2023, the year in which they decided to immortalize him 33 years after he left the Dodgers to continue with different baseball teams in the United States and Mexico
- Mayos de Navojoa (1977-1984, 1988-1994)
- Tuzos de Guanajuato (1977-1980)
- Leones de Yucatan (1979)
- Los Angeles Dodgers (1980-1990)
- Naranjeros de Hermosillo (1982, 1997-2002)
- California Angels (1991)
- Charros de Jalisco (1992, 1994)
- Baltimore Orioles (1993)
- Venados de Mazatlan (1993)
- Philadelphia Phillies (1994)
- San Diego Padres (1995-1997)
- St. Louis Cardinals (1997)
- Aguilas de Mexicali (2004-2007)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ start to the 2025 season
The reigning MLB champion began the 2025 campaign in brilliant fashion both on and off the field. The Tokyo Series games marked the start of the regular season for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who in a two-game series were victorious against the Chicago Cubs by a score of 4-1 and 6-3 where Japanese pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki took the win.
The Los Angeles Dodgers will have two more warm-up games against the Angels franchise and will then host their first game at their official home on Thursday, March 27 against the Detroit Tigers.
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