Toronto Blue Jays Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto can do way more than send pitches into the seats.
The former Nippon Professional Baseball star with the Yomiuri Giants is adjusting to life in the United States while he gets acclimated to his new club.
However, he’s made a fast connection with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., whose first language is Spanish. Guerrero was born in Canada but raised in the Dominican Republic. If you thought there would be a language barrier between the new teammates, think again.
“The good thing about him [Okamoto] is that he knows a little bit of Spanish, so we can communicate a little bit there,” Guerrero told MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson.
Being able to communicate with one another should help Okamoto and Guerrero’s camaraderie.
Okamoto considers himself ‘manly’
Okamoto’s career with the Blue Jays remains very new, but chances are, Japanese fans are paying close attention to his first spring training.
Here’s what Okamoto had to say when he was questioned by the media to describe himself on the first day of camp:
“I’m very serious … and very manly,” Okamoto said through his interpreter, Yusuke Oshima, per Matheson. “I think I can say that about myself.”
Toronto gave the 29-year-old a four-year, $60 million contract to be an impact bat in the heart of its order. He led NPB’s Central League in home runs three times and earned six All-Star selections.
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