"I'll walk him in all four of his plate appearances."
Miguel Cabrera, hitting coach for Venezuela's World Baseball Classic (WBC) team, delivered a teasing warning aimed at Samurai Japan's key hitter Shohei Ohtani (LA Dodgers). Ohtani responded with a witty reply.
Japanese sports outlet Chunichi Sports reported on the 13th that on Fuji TV's morning information program San! Shine they spotlighted South American powerhouse Venezuela, which Japan will face in the WBC quarterfinals.
The broadcast introduced remarks by Miguel Cabrera, a Major League Baseball legend with 511 career home runs who joined as Venezuela's hitting coach. Cabrera said of Ohtani, "I'll walk him in all four of his plate appearances," expressing strong caution.
Ohtani responded with a witty answer at a news conference. Ohtani said, "I have a bat signed by Cabrera at my home in Tokyo. I have drawn strength from touching that bat, so I want to fully exercise that power."
He added, "If I fail to hit, I'll do my best with the mindset that the bat had no effect."
Broadcasters praised Ohtani's humorous and respectful reply. Announcer Kyoko Sasaki said, "That's a really great answer. It's witty and an excellent response."
Actor Shosuke Tanihara, who served as the program's MC, focused on an unexpected detail. He joked, "I'm surprised he has a bat in his Tokyo home. I'm also surprised he has a home in Tokyo."
The news drew attention on social media as well. Internet users reacted with comments such as "an answer that combines dignity and humor," "a great exchange between global stars," and "show us the true power of Cabrera's bat."
Some internet users also showed different reactions, saying, "I'm more surprised by the Tokyo home than Cabrera's bat," and "so he really does have a home in Tokyo."
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