The largest contract in Major League Baseball going to a Japanese player reflects the increasing diversity in the sport, with about 30% of players being international. The success of international players highlights their significance in the game, challenging misconceptions about language barriers and cultural differences. Shohei Otani, a Japanese player, is seen as one of the best players from the country, showcasing that charisma surpasses any barriers when attracting fans to the sport.
Shohei Ohtani made his Dodger debut this week. His record-setting contract solidifies an international era for Major League Baseball, which hasn’t yet overcome a diversity problem at home.
This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Jesse Alejandro Cottrell, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Rob Byers and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.
Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained
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