![Shohei Ohtani first Japanese player voted to start in All-Star](https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/styles/picker_post/public/article/hero/web-230323-shohei-ohtani-japan.jpg)
When did baseball start in Japan and how did it become so popular? – NBC Sports Boston
![Shohei Ohtani first Japanese player voted to start in All-Star](https://media.nbclosangeles.com/2019/09/Shohei-Ohtani-AL-Rookie-of-the-Year-2018.jpg?quality=85&strip=all)
Angels' Ohtani to Start, Lead Off in All-Star Game – NBC Los Angeles
![Shohei Ohtani first Japanese player voted to start in All-Star](https://fox5sandiego.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/07/AP21188078137043-e1626127851958.jpg?strip=1)
Ohtani is AL starting pitcher, bats leadoff in All-Star Game
![Shohei Ohtani first Japanese player voted to start in All-Star](https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AP23183153662304-1.jpg)
Shohei Ohtani Becomes 2-way All-Star for 3rd Straight Year; 8 Braves Selected for July 11 Game - The Japan News
![Shohei Ohtani first Japanese player voted to start in All-Star](https://pcdn.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Rookies_of_the_Year_Baseball_86517.jpg-6337f.jpg)
Ohtani wins AL Rookie of the Year; Acuna takes NL honor - The Columbian
![Shohei Ohtani first Japanese player voted to start in All-Star](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/uploads/imported_images/uploads/2023/07/np_file_236633.jpeg)
Shohei Ohtani named to All-Star roster as pitcher after also earning spot as DH - The Japan Times
![Shohei Ohtani first Japanese player voted to start in All-Star](https://cdn.britannica.com/88/237588-050-888E6AC1/Shohei-Ohtani-Los-Angeles-Angels-hitting-baseball-player-2022.jpg)
Shohei Ohtani, MLB, Facts, Statistics, & Family
![Shohei Ohtani first Japanese player voted to start in All-Star](https://img.olympics.com/images/image/private/t_s_pog_staticContent_hero_md_2x/f_auto/primary/hwvnlqxr5tryhnpke0a9)
Sho-time premiere: Shohei Ohtani is named MLB's American League MVP
![Shohei Ohtani first Japanese player voted to start in All-Star](https://img.kyodonews.net/english/public/images/posts/8d00c04f53f3cc8750f35c1da654eaf6/photo_l.jpg)
Baseball: Angels' Shohei Ohtani voted onto American League All-Star team
![Shohei Ohtani first Japanese player voted to start in All-Star](https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WYCQHMFY3FC2PBDLMXRXQDGQFU.jpg)
The Latest: Ohtani gets win in two-way All-Star first
![Shohei Ohtani first Japanese player voted to start in All-Star](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/dd585da/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4316x2877+0+0/resize/1200x800!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2c%2F95%2F5656c31a4fb2b2b58ef0056485c5%2Fdodgers-diamondbacks-baseball-67743.jpg)
MLB All-Star Game starters include Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani - Los Angeles Times
![Shohei Ohtani first Japanese player voted to start in All-Star](https://a.espncdn.com/photo/2021/0218/r816504_1296x729_16-9.jpg)
Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani to start at pitcher, bat leadoff for AL in MLB All-Star Game - ESPN