Happy New Year 2025

Tag: Japanese

  • Mets pitcher from Japan says team needs to ‘build a roof’ if it wants more Japanese stars

    Mets pitcher from Japan says team needs to ‘build a roof’ if it wants more Japanese stars

    It is no secret the Los Angeles Dodgers have been able to attract Japanese stars recently.

    Yoshinobu Yamamoto chose the Dodgers over the New York Mets last year, when both teams offered him $325 million. 

    More recently, Roki Sasaki also chose the Dodgers despite the Toronto Blue Jays reportedly offering more money.

    Due to his age, Sasaki, 23, was limited to teams’ international pool money. 

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    New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of Game 1 of the NL Championship Series Oct. 13, 2024, in Los Angeles.  (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

    And Shohei Ohtani decided to stay in Los Angeles and sign with the Dodgers before the 2024 campaign.

    Japanese stars have joined other teams in recent years, but Yamamoto and Sasaki are undoubtedly the top pitching prospects other than Ohtani since Masahiro Tanaka arrived in 2014 with the Yankees.

    Ahead of the 2023 season, Kodai landed a five-year, $90 million contract with the New York Mets, and he’s slated to be at the top of their rotation this season after missing the majority of last season.

    As he reported to spring training Tuesday, Senga was asked how the Mets could land more Japanese stars, and he was brutally honest.

    “Of course, I would love to have some more on the Mets, but the climate’s nice there, and I think that definitely plays a part,” Senga said.

    Kodai Senga reacts

    New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga reacts to some difficulty with a PitchCom device during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers June 28, 2023, in New York.  (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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    “We need to build a roof.”

    Mets owner Steve Cohen has teased a roof before, once noting it would cost roughly $800 million to build. But, last year, he said that “ship has sailed” because it’s “too expensive.”

    There figure to be more Japanese stars arriving in the U.S. soon. Lefty slugger Munetaka Murakami, who hit 56 homers in 2022 and has a .938 career OPS overseas, is expected to join the major leagues next year.

    It should also be noted that the Blue Jays have a roof, so the weather clearly wasn’t everything for Sasaki.

    Kodai Senga pitches

    Kodai Senga of the New York Mets pitches during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field July 26, 2024, in New York City. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

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    There are 15 Japanese-born players on major league rosters, and the most recent to make his MLB debut was Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga.

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  • Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki says he wants to try an ‘American hamburger’ after signing with the Dodgers

    Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki says he wants to try an ‘American hamburger’ after signing with the Dodgers

    Now that Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki has officially signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he is ready to enjoy some American food. 

    “I haven’t tried any American hamburgers, so I’m really looking forward to eating the best,” Sasaki said through an interpreter during an interview with SportsNetLA.

    Sasaki, 23, signed with the Dodgers as an international free agent, meaning that he is under team control for six seasons. Sasaki was also given a $6.5 million signing bonus.

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    Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) speaks during an introductory press conference at Dodger Stadium.  (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)

    With the signing bonus, Sasaki can try as many hamburgers as he wants. 

    Sasaki dominated Nippon Professional Baseball, recording a 2.10 ERA across four seasons with a whopping 505 strikeouts in 394 2/3 innings.

    Sasaki was highly coveted across Major League Baseball once his bidding period opened up, but chose the reigning World Series champions as his next team.

    It is the second straight season that the Dodgers have signed a free agent pitcher from Japan, as they handed Yoshinobu Yamamoto the largest guaranteed contract for a pitcher in MLB history last offseason. 

    Yamamoto signed a 12-year, $325 million deal and delivered in year one with a 7-2 record and 3.00 ERA over 18 regular season starts and 90 innings pitched. 

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    Roki Sasaki poses for camera

    Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) is photographed by media during an introductory press conference at Dodger Stadium.  (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)

    If Sasaki had waited two years until he turned 25, he could have hit the free agent market and signed an exorbitant deal like Yamamoto, but Sasaki wanted to play in the big leagues sooner.

    Sasaki said he plans on not just relying on Yamamoto, but fellow countryman Shohei Ohtani as well this season. 

    “There’s just a lot of things I’m not going to know, so I’m going to rely on our coaches and players in terms of just getting to know the team. But also, we have Japanese players on the team, so I’m going to lean on them as well,” Sasaki said. 

    If Sasaki pans out the way the Dodgers hope he does, they are going to have one of the best rotations in baseball. 

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    Roki Sasaki looks on

    Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) is photographed by media during an introductory press conference at Dodger Stadium.  (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)

    Ohtani will return to the mound after not pitching last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The Dodgers signed two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell this offseason. 

    Tyler Glasnow will be back after his 2024 season ended prematurely due to an elbow injury. Add Yamamoto and Sasaki into the mix, and it gives the Dodgers five starters with ace potential in their rotation, a rarity in baseball. 

    The Dodgers’ journey to trying to become repeat World Series champions begins when they take on the Chicago Cubs in Japan for a two-game series, on March 18 and 19. 

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    Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for Fox News Digital.

  • National Tempura Day 2025: What Is Tempura Made Of? From Origins to Ingredients, Your Ultimate Guide to the Japanese Dish (Watch Recipe Videos)

    National Tempura Day 2025: What Is Tempura Made Of? From Origins to Ingredients, Your Ultimate Guide to the Japanese Dish (Watch Recipe Videos)

    Celebrated on January 7, National Tempura Day honours one of Japan’s most beloved dishes: tempura. Known for its light, crispy batter and flavourful fillings, tempura is a testament to culinary simplicity and artistry. Whether enjoyed as an appetiser, a main dish, or a snack, it’s a global favourite that continues to delight food lovers. On National Tempura Day 2025, we bring you origins, ingredients and other details along with a few recipe videos to know more about the Japanese dish. January 2025 Holidays and Festivals Calendar: Check Dates of Important Events in the First Month of the Year. 

    What Is Tempura Made Of?

    While Japan is synonymous with tempura, its origins trace back to 16th-century Portuguese missionaries. The Japanese adopted and refined the frying technique, creating a dish that perfectly blends texture and flavour. Today, tempura is a hallmark of Japanese cuisine, celebrated worldwide for its delicate preparation and versatility. From Prawn Tempura to Classic Shrimp Tempura; Recipes You Can Try Out With Tempura Batter. 

    Two of the most popular variations are shrimp tempura and vegetable tempura. Shrimp tempura features large, fresh shrimp fried in a light batter, often served with dipping sauce or over rice.

    Watch Recipe Video of Shrimp Tempura:

    Vegetable tempura uses ingredients like sweet potato, zucchini, and mushrooms, highlighting the natural flavours of seasonal produce while maintaining a crispy, golden coating.

    Watch Recipe Video of Vegetable Tempura:

    The key to exceptional tempura lies in the choice of ingredients. Use light oils like canola or sesame oil for frying, as they have a mild flavour and high smoke point. For the batter, opt for low-protein flours like cake flour or a mix of all-purpose flour and corn starch to achieve a light, airy texture. Serve it fresh with dipping sauces like tentsuyu for the best experience.

    (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 07, 2025 07:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).