![Lars Nootbaar shines spotlight on Shohei Ohtani after two-way superstar seals historic third championship for Team Japan at 2023 WBC](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Japans-Lars-Nootbaar-at-the-WBC-185x460.jpeg)
Why Is American-Born Lars Nootbaar Playing Alongside Shohei Ohtani for Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic? - EssentiallySports
![Lars Nootbaar shines spotlight on Shohei Ohtani after two-way superstar seals historic third championship for Team Japan at 2023 WBC](https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/H6DCZC36EZDNNOKQP6ZEEQXUGI.jpg)
Japan buzzing for Shohei Ohtani's return in WBC
![Lars Nootbaar shines spotlight on Shohei Ohtani after two-way superstar seals historic third championship for Team Japan at 2023 WBC](https://theanalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/the-analyst-top-10-ranking-2-columns-b3b034b7-3757-4788-a76b-832634fe701f-1024x576.jpeg)
just four teams
![Lars Nootbaar shines spotlight on Shohei Ohtani after two-way superstar seals historic third championship for Team Japan at 2023 WBC](https://theanalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/overallrawvalue-1024x1024.png)
just four teams
![Lars Nootbaar shines spotlight on Shohei Ohtani after two-way superstar seals historic third championship for Team Japan at 2023 WBC](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/ZRoAAOSw-hVkJRcj/s-l1600.png)
SHOHEI OHTANI WBC 2023 SAMURAI JAPAN OFFICIAL CAP 52-56cm Nootbaar
![Lars Nootbaar shines spotlight on Shohei Ohtani after two-way superstar seals historic third championship for Team Japan at 2023 WBC](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/vFYAAOSw4vNkJRc1/s-l1600.png)
SHOHEI OHTANI WBC 2023 SAMURAI JAPAN OFFICIAL CAP 52-56cm Nootbaar
![Lars Nootbaar shines spotlight on Shohei Ohtani after two-way superstar seals historic third championship for Team Japan at 2023 WBC](https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/CCASCH7KIVHW7GA45UGFVWYPIM.jpg)
Japan buzzing for Shohei Ohtani's return in WBC
![Lars Nootbaar shines spotlight on Shohei Ohtani after two-way superstar seals historic third championship for Team Japan at 2023 WBC](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/Nb-xbdr_APTmMzZYTFwt5IzpdnI=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg/public/H3ZM77CBHNCGBJ5MZR53QQRUGA.jpg)
Lars Nootbaar brings 'grind-it-out spirit' to Japan and WBC
![Lars Nootbaar shines spotlight on Shohei Ohtani after two-way superstar seals historic third championship for Team Japan at 2023 WBC](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/03/29a7e-16794899419998-1920.jpg?name=small)
Lars Nootbaar shines spotlight on Shohei Ohtani after two-way superstar seals historic third championship for Team Japan at 2023 WBC
![Lars Nootbaar shines spotlight on Shohei Ohtani after two-way superstar seals historic third championship for Team Japan at 2023 WBC](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/u7hZdoNUp2kb8vuvWH_oJiLiCR4=/0x0:2046x1396/1400x933/filters:focal(834x165:1160x491):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72100761/1475179782.5.jpg)
Shohei Ohtani seals Japan's third WBC title, besting Team USA, 3-2 - Pinstripe Alley
![Lars Nootbaar shines spotlight on Shohei Ohtani after two-way superstar seals historic third championship for Team Japan at 2023 WBC](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/J38AAOSwk0pkNnDF/s-l400.jpg)
SHOHEI OHTANI WBC 2023 White & 2017 Navy SAMURAI JAPAN OFFICIAL CAP Nootbaar
![Lars Nootbaar shines spotlight on Shohei Ohtani after two-way superstar seals historic third championship for Team Japan at 2023 WBC](https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1249047306/photo/2023-world-baseball-classic-championship-team-usa-v-team-japan.jpg?s=594x594&w=gi&k=20&c=WcAhMAU5Zx43goOiYDBaNHp8MWUByEBvXrMza8JNMW8=)
Shohei Ohtani and Lars Nootbaar of Team Japan celebrate after winning News Photo - Getty Images