WBC Japan Taiwan Baseball
Japan's Shohei Ohtani, left, practices in the nets before the start of a World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Japan and Taiwan Friday, March 6, 2026 in Tokyo.
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Shohei Ohtani put on a giant show in batting practice hours before he hit a grand slam in the second inning as Japan hammered Taiwan 13-0 in Pool C at the World Baseball Classic. It was Japan’s first game of four in pool play. Ohtani spoke to the crowd after the game, bowing and tipping his cap. “It was a good game and we got off to a good start, so I think it was all because of your support,” he said to rising applause as he spoke in Japanese. Ohtani’s batting practice thrilled many who had traveled from afar to see him. Ohtani drew major Western star power to Japan for the game, with actor Timothée Chalamet and pop singer Bad Bunny in the stands.
