Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto recently revealed that his unwavering desire to win was the driving force behind his decision to join the team, overshadowing other contributing factors such as Shohei Ohtani’s presence in the Dodgers. Yamamoto emphasized that the prospect of immediate and future success greatly influenced his choice. During a news conference on Wednesday, he stated through his interpreter, “I wouldn’t say he was the sole reason in deciding to come here, and if he went somewhere else I probably would have still ended up in L.A. Winning now and winning into the future was probably the most important thing in making this decision.”
Yamamoto, who is 25 years old, confidently donned the No. 18 jersey during his introduction as the Dodgers’ latest star. Just weeks ago, the team unveiled Ohtani in a similar manner. After being impressed by the Dodgers’ plan to maintain a winning approach, Yamamoto signed a massive 12-year, $325 million contract with the team. Furthermore, he expressed his gratitude towards Ohtani for structuring his own 10-year, $700 million deal in a way that allowed the Dodgers to pursue other players like him. Yamamoto explained, “Through my talks with the front office, it was really clear that they wanted to win. On top of that, the fact that Shohei was doing that also signaled that it wasn’t just the front office, it was also the players that bought into this winning atmosphere. That really resonated with me.”
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes spoke highly of Yamamoto, revealing that the entire organization had scouted him extensively and were thoroughly impressed by his skill and routine during games in Japan. Gomes highlighted Yamamoto’s remarkable game of long toss before each match, where the ball seemingly never deviated from its intended line. His throws possessed a distinct level of intent and focus that left a lasting impression on Gomes and the team. “There’s a different level of intent and focus with each and every throw he makes leading up to that night’s game,” Gomes praised.
Yamamoto’s arrival will bolster an already formidable Dodgers pitching staff, which includes recent acquisition Tyler Glasnow and the imminent return of Walker Buehler following his successful Tommy John surgery. When asked if witnessing notable Japanese pitchers like Kenta Maeda in a Dodgers uniform had influenced his decision, Yamamoto remarked, “I wouldn’t say that was the sole reason for choosing the Dodgers, but when I was 19 I did come to watch a playoff game here, and in that game Kenta Maeda did throw, and it made me feel more strongly about coming overseas to play in the big leagues.”
Yamamoto introduced himself in English before leaning on his interpreter for further queries. He acknowledged Ohtani’s role in his decision, noting, “He said, ‘Ask me anything you ever need.’ So it really felt comfortable talking to him about it. To be able to play with him from here on out definitely means a lot.” Despite not considering himself a devoted Dodgers fan during his formative years, Yamamoto expressed his admiration for the team and the realization that ascending to the major leagues with such a historic franchise was an unexpected dream come true.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s decision to join the Los Angeles Dodgers was driven by his unyielding hunger for success and his belief in the team’s winning culture. He recognized the impact of Shohei Ohtani’s contract structure, which allowed the Dodgers to pursue other talented players like himself. Yamamoto’s arrival adds more firepower to an already formidable pitching staff, and his dedication to the game has earned him praise from the Dodgers organization. Furthermore, the opportunity to play alongside Ohtani, whom he greatly admires, has made his transition to the Dodgers even more exciting. As Yamamoto embarks on this new chapter of his career, he is poised to make a significant impact and help lead the team to victory.
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