From Nomo to Ichiro to Ohtani: Japan’s baseball rise in MLB hits high point in Dodgers-Cubs series

Ichiro Suzuki was having his typical day on a baseball field in 2000, putting on a power display during batting practice before ripping line drives all over the field for the Orix BlueWave during a preseason doubleheader. American infielder Torey Lovullo — who was in the other dugout playing the final year of his career in Japan with the Yakult Swallows — couldn't believe his eyes. "I told my translator, get me three baseballs," the current Arizona Diamondbacks manager said.