But in March of 2023 he helped Japan win the World Baseball Classic. Sasaki pitched a perfect game on April 10, 2022, against Japan’s Orix Buffaloes and struck out 19 — 13 in a row at one point.
Most Japanese couldn't recognize Lars Nootbaar a few weeks ago, before the World Baseball Classic opened. Few could even pronounce his name or spell it in English or Japanese. He's becoming a ...