![How Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar became an instant fan favorite for Japan at World Baseball Classic](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WSfIE-It2XQ/hq720.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEhCK4FEIIDSFryq4qpAxMIARUAAAAAGAElAADIQj0AgKJD&rs=AOn4CLCTnjNz8Si3PvW0VanIkvKRQAr4DQ)
188 Lars Nootbaar & Shohei Ohtani became best friends at The WBC
![How Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar became an instant fan favorite for Japan at World Baseball Classic](https://i0.wp.com/www.baseballamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/bba-media/qv0myzsc/munetaka-murakami.jpg?fit=2700%2C1905&ssl=1)
Japan Enters 2023 World Baseball Classic With Team USA In Its
![How Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar became an instant fan favorite for Japan at World Baseball Classic](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/79178fbd273dcf14406c0feb85f31e35_1.jpg)
Mets Did It First” – Major Food Brand's Gift to Japan's WBC Star
![How Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar became an instant fan favorite for Japan at World Baseball Classic](https://fox2now.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/AP22216729676967.jpg)
Lars stars! Fan-favorite Nootbaar now a Cardinals catalyst
![How Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar became an instant fan favorite for Japan at World Baseball Classic](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/03/7e585-16789058079284-1920.jpg)
Lars Nootbaar Team Japan WBC: Why is Lars Nootbaar playing for
![How Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar became an instant fan favorite for Japan at World Baseball Classic](https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/t_16x9/t_w1024/mlb/ssjantwfevkhpez83dfs)
World Baseball Classic Pool B preview
![How Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar became an instant fan favorite for Japan at World Baseball Classic](https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/t_2x1/t_w1536/mlb/yj0pwgjdcs1nz0mtsj7x.jpg)
Lars Nootbaar's journey to becoming MLB star
![How Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar became an instant fan favorite for Japan at World Baseball Classic](https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/ar_16:9,g_auto,q_auto:good,w_1280,c_fill,f_jpg,dpr_2.0/mlb/ffx2mje77ee6w4xn8ujs)
How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for
![How Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar became an instant fan favorite for Japan at World Baseball Classic](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/uploads/imported_images/uploads/2023/04/np_file_220719.jpeg)
Lars Nootbaar stays in Japanese spotlight after WBC star turn
![How Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar became an instant fan favorite for Japan at World Baseball Classic](https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/t_16x9/t_w1024/mlb/fxmk3vh0zegoprdhbvbh)
World Baseball Classic Pool B preview
![How Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar became an instant fan favorite for Japan at World Baseball Classic](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/USATSI_20287903-scaled.jpg)
Japan wins 2023 World Baseball Classic, Ohtani named MVP
![How Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar became an instant fan favorite for Japan at World Baseball Classic](https://www.ozarksfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/65/2023/03/0308-nootbaar-team-japan-.jpg?strip=1)
Nootbaar playing in WBC for mom, Japan
![How Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar became an instant fan favorite for Japan at World Baseball Classic](https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/t_16x9/t_w1024/mlb/k8crnrtjwci1b1sdvsww)
World Baseball Classic Pool B preview
![How Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar became an instant fan favorite for Japan at World Baseball Classic](https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/YEFBWVC3BJCYNHRFBAJLS7RCK4.jpg)
Lars Nootbaar brings 'grind-it-out spirit' to Japan and WBC
![How Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar became an instant fan favorite for Japan at World Baseball Classic](https://www.pressherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/AP23067506699112-1678317590.jpg)
MLB notebook: Japan buzzing for Ohtani's return in WBC