most popular mlb teams in japan

Thanks for posting this! The Koi made four playoff appearances between 2013 and 2018. Instead of improving results, the team draws fans by organizing great pre-game and post-game shows. Dave Litman February 28, 2023 Chicago Cubs. In the United States and Taiwan, fans can cheer and . Wilson was a professor at Kaisei Gakko (now Tokyo University).In 1873 Albert Bates, an American teaching at Kaitaku University organized the first game. The level of play in these leagues is very competitive; Industrial League players are often selected to represent Japan in international tournaments[19] and Major League Baseball players such as Hideo Nomo (Shin-Nitetsu Sakai),[20] Junichi Tazawa (Nippon Oil)[21] and Kosuke Fukudome (Nihon Seimei),[22] have been discovered by professional clubs while playing industrial baseball. Birthdate: July 5, 1994. Twins -North Dakota, South Dakota Darvish has been in the big leagues for over a decade now after moving from NPB to the Rangers in 2012, and he's collected 1,788 strikeouts and four 200-K seasons in that time. The leading declines were by the Boston Red Sox on NESN (-54%), the Seattle Mariners (-36%), the Los Angeles Angels (-34%) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (-34%). Lives in Japan Author has 4.9K answers and 27M answer views 5 y It's very popular, but of course , not as popular as the Japanese leagues. Baseball is very popular in a few countries such as the US, but more popular in Japan. by Amy, August 26, 2020 Jeffrey May Update: February 17th, 2023 10:22 EST The Most Popular MLB Teams, According to Consumer Behavior Boca Raton, FL - While "America's Pastime" now ranks well behind football in terms of nationwide popularity, Major League Baseball's opening day is perhaps the most celebrated "kickoff" of any sports league. Although most baseball fans are American, a higher percentage of Japanese people watch the game. If there are four, they cannot all be pitchers nor all be position players. 1 New York Yankees The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Bronx, New York City, New York, that competes in Major League Baseball. Cardinals -Arkansas They don't even let Bernie Brewer slide into beer anymore. Japan's famous ballparks Tokyo Dome The home of the Yomiuri Giants, who have the most NPB championships (22) since the inaugural Japan Series in 1950 and are the team of superstars like Matsui and Oh. Saitama Seibu Lions has designated nights, including family day, womens day, and salary person-day, when fans can enter the pitch and try their hand at baseball basics. "Most Popular Baseball Teams in Japan as of April 2022. 2 St. Louis Cardinals 88% 46%. Since then, there have been numerous changes to the Japanese baseball league. NPB plays a 143-game regular season, beginning in late March (the 2023 season opens on March 30). Like other sports, success in baseball depends on funding, and Kyojin has a lot of money. [4] In addition, as American writer Robert Whiting wrote in his 1977 book The Chrysanthemum and the Bat, "the Japanese view of life, stressing group identity, cooperation, hard work, respect for age, seniority and 'face' has permeated almost every aspect of the sport. All Adults. Major League Baseballs All-Star team includes three players from the Red Wings: John Farrell of the Red Wings, Chris Capuano of the Blue Jackets, and Evan Longoria of the DevilRays. The Koshien tournament is the stage on which many young players rise to national stardom -- including Oh, Matsui, Matsuzaka, Darvish, Masahiro Tanaka and Ohtani. David Adleris a reporter for MLB.com based in New York. Like the Giants Dome, its roof guarantees an uninterrupted watching experience, regardless of the prevailing weather. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The Japan All-Star Series 2014, which includes five games and two exhibitions, begins at 4 a.m. These umbrellas also protect fans against the rain, as the stadium doesnt have a roof. Then you can access your favorite statistics via the star in the header. The world home run king made history by reaching the 800-home run milestone -- something no Major Leaguer has ever done -- on Aug. 30, 1978, in front of a crowd of 55,000 at Korakuen Stadium in Tokyo. [Online]. As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. As a member of the Orix BlueWave, he won three Pacific League. ", "Samurai Baseball: Off Base or Safe At Home? Other good MLB players who were born in Japan include Hideo Nomo, Kazuhiro Sasaki, Takashi Saito, and Kosuke Fukudome. Baseball Yaky Known as Yaky baseball is hugely popular in Japan. This is the online home for all things baseball. Pirates -West Virginia Black Eagle a Rakuten fan who became such a viral hit in Japan that the team declared him an official team mascot on Black Eagle Days. 10. Also unlike MLB, game length is limited and tie games are allowed. Baby Boomers. In Japanese, baseball is commonly called (; yaky), combining the characters for field and ball. A website recently used social media figures to determine the most popular NFL teams. The home of the Yomiuri Giants, who have the most NPB championships (22) since the inaugural Japan Series in 1950 and are the team of superstars like Matsui and Oh. Slugging prodigy Munetaka Murakami, who's playing in WBC '23, homered in the win. The Yomiuri Giants have the most NPB championships, with 22. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Auto racing competitions officially started in Japan in the 1920s. Two years later, in 1936, Japan's first professional league formed with seven teams, including Shoriki's club. Where MLB has the seventh-inning stretch, NPB has the "Lucky 7," where balloons are jetted off into the air. Giants -Hawaii This is because the Giants have exerted dominance over other NPB teams, making them the go-to option for new fans.Yomiuri Giants. Profit from the additional features of your individual account. Two members of the Nippon Ham. July 10, 2015 ); Nippon Professional Baseball Organization Official WebSite. The team has won the Japan Series, the equivalent of the World Series, a record 22 times. Men. Whenever their team scores, they open up umbrellas and sing Tokyo Ondo, a traditional folk song. N.F.L. Seattle Seahawks Seattle Mariners Detroit Lions Detroit Tigers N.F.L. Fame Popularity. Generation X. Thank you, I truly value your contribution to the company! Accessed March 04, 2023. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1195628/japan-most-popular-baseball-teams/, Central Research Services. Attractive portion of content. 1 Chicago Cubs 89% 46%. The 12 major league teams are owned by railway companies, newspaper organizations, and other corporations. Occasionally, a team with more total wins has been seeded below a team that had more ties and fewer losses and, therefore, had a better winning percentage. Moreover, watching the games at the Fukuoka Yahuoku is exciting. However, it is safe to say that there is at least some level of interest in MLB baseball in Japan. Loud fans with drums and trumpets frequent home matches. So it is no surprise that Japanese baseball merchandise is in demand. While sumo is Japan's national sport, baseball is one of Japan's most popular Baseball in Japan is extremely competitive, passionately played, and commands a very loyal following. In 1970, the Cincinnati Reds formed the most important team in their history. A 2020 survey revealed that 40% of Japanese citizens were regular watchers of the league. The White Sox are eighth on the list behind the sixth ranked Los Angeles Dodgers and the seventh ranked New York Mets. Whether youre a seasoned traveler or just starting to discover the wonders of this amazing country, You Go Japan has something for everyone. One of the greatest pure hitters of all time, Ichiro is a member of MLB's 3,000-hit club and amassed 4,367 hits in his professional career between the Major Leagues and NPB. The lefty reliever made his MLB debut on Sept. 1 and pitched two seasons for San Francisco before returning to the Hawks. A Japanese baseball game is an experience unlike any other. The teams that make it to the Japan Series are the champions of their respective leagues. Get full access to all features within our Business Solutions. Millennials. The Buffalo Bills are the top team in 19 countries, including Slovakia, Belgium and Italy. The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and San Francisco Giants are two of the most successful franchises in their country's major leagues. Nagashima batted .305 with 444 home runs in his 17-year career with the Giants. Hiroki Kuroda. Baseball, now over 150 years old in Japan, is as ingrained in Japanese culture as the national pastime is in America. After watching the Swallows, you can visit the famous Meiji Jingu Shrine to learn more about Shintoism and Ninjas. This could be put down to Josh Allen's impressive performance recently, bringing more visibility to this team not just in the USA, but across the globe as well. Players on these teams are employed by their sponsoring companies and do not receive salaries as baseball players but as company employees. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Professional baseball in Japan first started in the 1920s, but it was not until the Greater Japan Tokyo Baseball Club ( Dai-nippon Tky Yaky Kurabu) a team of all-stars established in 1934 by media mogul Matsutar Shriki, that the modern professional game found continued successespecially after Shriki's club matched up against an American All-Star team that included Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, and Charlie Gehringer. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. In a survey conducted in April 2022 in Japan, 22.4 percent of respondents named Yomiuri Giants their favorite baseball team, giving the Giants a decisive lead in terms of the most popular. Genki Haraguchi Football Japan National Team 2017 Asian Qualifiers . If you arent an avid baseball fan, the Tokyo Dome complex has several other attractions. They play in the Tokyo Dome, the largest roof-covered dome in the world. The data is based on 2019 regular-season games only and not spring training or the playoffs.Based on those metrics, most popular MLB teams in America were the Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Nicknamed "Godzilla" for his fearsome slugging prowess, Matsui went from a star for the Yomiuri Giants to a star for the Yankees, becoming a fan favorite for NPB and MLB's most iconic franchises. 2 states -Royals, Cardinals, Pirates, Cubs, Rockies, *7 teams are not the most popular in any state:Blue Jays, Rays, Indians, White Sox, Angels, A's, Padres. Baseball has the most successful franchise, the Yankees, and is undoubtedly the most popular sport for the youth. The Swallows home field is Meiji Jingu Stadium, a traditional baseball park where legends such asBabe Ruth and Joe DiMaggiohave come to play. N.F.L. The stadium is next to the Tokyo Dome City, an enormous entertainment center with an amusement park, spa and swimming pools, and numerous cafs and restaurants. The Yokohama Stadium is a comfortable place to sit while watching the games. Directly accessible data for 170 industries from 50 countries and over 1 million facts: Get quick analyses with our professional research service. In 2013, the NPB generated a global revenue of $29 billion, making it the most successful professional baseball league in the world. *12 teams are the most popular in more than one state: 6 states - Red Sox, Braves forms: { Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1195628/japan-most-popular-baseball-teams/, Most popular baseball teams in Japan as of April 2022, Available to download in PNG, PDF, XLS format, Leisure market size in Japan 2021, by segment, Market size of sports participation in Japan 2017-2022, Market size of the sports participation industry in Japan 2017-2022, by segment, Average annual spending on sports in Japan 2022, by category, Distribution of annual expenses for doing sports and training in Japan 2021, Distribution of yearly expenses for watching sports competitions in Japan 2021, Income budget of Japan Sport Council in Japan FY 2022, by source, Expenditure budget of Japan Sport Council in Japan FY 2022, by type, Sales proceeds of Sports Promotion Lottery in Japan FY 2006-2021, Total subsidies given by the Sports Promotion Lottery in Japan 2022, by category, Government sports budget in Japan FY 2007-2023, Government sports budget breakdown in Japan FY 2023, by purpose, Ordinary revenue of the J. 466 more RBI, and scored 239 more runs. [17] This limits the cost and competition for expensive players of other nationalities, and is similar to rules in many European sports leagues' roster limits on non-European players. Join. With a bigger field than ever, the 2023 World Baseball Classic promises to bring some of the most exciting baseball the international event has to offer. The Yakult Swallows are a bunch of lovable losers who frequently find themselves at the bottom of league standings, but that doesnt mean you should pass up an opportunity to watch them play. Their television historycoupled with their massive success throughout the '90sleaves the Braves as the most popular team in the region and the team claiming the title of "most popular" in the most counties nationwide. I simply stumbled upon your site The ballpark has many entertainment features, including a Ferris wheel and a merry-go-round. These nationwide tournaments enjoy widespread popularity, arguably equal to or greater than professional baseball. r/baseball. In Japan, Nippon Professional Baseball players such as Shohei Ohtani, Ichiro Suzuki, Hideki Matsui, Shigeo Nagashima and Sadaharu Oh are regarded as national stars, and their exceptional performances have boosted baseball's popularity in Japan. This is evidenced by the fact that there are a number of Japanese players in the MLB, including some high-profile stars like Ichiro Suzuki and Masahiro Tanaka. The Yomiuri Giants are a professional baseball team based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. Like the DeNA BayStars, the Tokyo Yakult Swallows make up for poor performances with an unrivaled fan-centric experience. If you go to a Hawks game, youre more than likely to enjoy a home team wins. That said, the team has nationwide support that transcends the Kansai region. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( Register in seconds and access exclusive features. Sports are a zero-sum game most of the time. Its advisable to book a rail pass during your stay in Japan, as it helps you travel to various cities without incurring additional expenses. (1936-1949) The two-way superstar was the 2018 AL Rookie of the Year and the 2021 AL MVP, and he finished as the MVP runner-up in '22 with 34 home runs, 11 stolen bases and 95 RBIs as a hitter and a 15-9 record, 2.33 ERA and 219 strikeouts as a pitcher. *17 different teams are the most popular in states without professional baseball: Braves -Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee Neoprimesport is a website dedicated to cover and provide information of all types of sports and their events. Its why most professional baseball teams in the Nippon Professional Baseball League (NPB) bear corporate names instead of the city or regional name. Over his last five seasons with the Orix Buffaloes, the 29-year-old left-handed hitter had a .332 batting average, walked over 100 more times than he struck out and averaged 22 home runs a season. As of now, baseball is the most popular sport in the country, followed by soccer. Japan Series baseball is the top baseball competition in Japan. Whiting, Robert. The Toronto Blue Jays are represented only in Canada. The first organized adult baseball team, called the Shimbashi Athletic Club, was established in 1878. More to the point, according to Okada and Greyser, the Yankees are "the most popular [MLB] team in Japan." The Yankees of late have not been the Yankees of old, but with no losing seasons since . Unlike Other Domes The space allows fans to see outside while being shielded from adverse weather conditions. This enables the team to continuously attract the best players, keeping them ahead of competitors. You can also run into Mr. Black Eagle, the teams most famous fan. Baseball is an institution in Japan at every level, from the youth teams that routinely win the Little League World Series to the legendary summer Koshien high-school tournaments to the hugely popular NPB to the Japanese stars who jump to the Major Leagues. by Stephen Spiewak, March 17, 2022 Follow him on Twitter at@_dadler. Must Read: Top 7 Most Popular Sports in China till now, Trending: Team USA to Kick-Start Olympic Qualifying in Arizona, Top: 10 Most Popular Sports in the United Kingdom. The Hanshin Tigers are considered by many to be the it baseball team to follow in Japan. The team has been around but has never mounted a serious challenge for the title. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. MLB's global revenue is $27.5 billion, with 26 teams. He crushed 332 homers for the Giants and 175 more for the Yankees, giving him 507 total in his pro career. The Yomiuri Giants, nicknamed the Kyojin, is one of the top professional baseball teams in Japan. by Will, December 15, 2014 1. For the first time, pool play is going to be four groups of five rather than four groups of four, raising the number of teams to 20 from 16. September 18, 2012 [14], The rules are essentially those of Major League Baseball (MLB), but technical elements are slightly different: The Nippon league uses a smaller baseball, strike zone, and playing field. Corporations with interests outside baseball own most of the teams. Nomo opened the door for future Japanese players to come to MLB when he made the jump from the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes to the Dodgers in 1995. We also offer a variety of resources for baseball players, including tips on hitting, pitching, and fielding. The Yokohama DeNA BayStars are a peculiar team they have many supporters, despite having an awful performance record throughout their existence. statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account. At the Time Legends like Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio flew into the country and formed an All-star team to compete against locals. In Japan, high school baseball (, kk yaky) generally refers to the two annual baseball tournaments played by high schools nationwide culminating in a final showdown at Hanshin Kshien Stadium in Nishinomiya. [10], At a match played in Yokohama in 1896, a team from Tokyo's Ichik high school convincingly defeated a team of resident foreigners from the Yokohama Country & Athletic Club. So, how do they pull it off?Yokohama DeNa Baystars. The Lions have won the regional pennant 21 times and the national title 13 times. This statistic is not included in your account. Popular Professional Baseball Teams in Japan, 25 Most Famous Japanese Archers You Should Know. Minnesota Vikings Minnesota. "Godzilla Takes the Bronx". Led by Oh and Nagashima, Yomiuri won an incredible nine straight Japan Series championships from 1965-73. The regular season consists of 144 games, with each team playing every other team in its league 18 times. by Alyssa, July 08, 2016 Many fans, especially older children and teens, love the team. Best Japanese Albums (Discovering Japans Music Scene), 3 Best Japanese Tour Companies (Get the Best of Japan), Best Japanese Art: Own Prints of Legendary Japanese Artwork, 5 Best Japanese Films That Will Blow Your Mind, Best Areas and Hotels in Shibuya For Visitors. Access to this and all other statistics on 80,000 topics from, Show sources information Most Super Bowl wins by NFL team 1967-2023, Average ticket price in the NFL by team 2021, FIFA World Ranking: top male soccer teams 2022, Athletic footwear global market share by company 2015, Health & Fitness Clubs - Statistics & Facts, Sporting goods industry in the U.S. - statistics & facts, Profit from additional features with an Employee Account. The slugger from the Hiroshima Carp signed with the Cubs before the 2022 season and burst onto the scene by winning NL Rookie of the Month in his first month in the big leagues. Baseball is extremely popular in Japan. June 7, 2022. + $20.00 shipping. Terms of Use. Nippon Professional Baseball Organization Official WebSite. As of now, baseball is the most popular sport in the country, followed by soccer. posts. Here's a reverse chronological look at some of the most significant Japanese players who have come to MLB: Shohei Ohtani, RHP/DH, 2018-present Ohtani arrived in America with plenty of hype as he aimed to be the Majors' first full-time two-way player since Babe Ruth a century earlier. In total, 553 counties favor the Braves. Let's look at their methodology as well as their results. The Yankees, who have won 19 American League East Division crowns, 40 AL pennants, and 27 World Series triumphs, are arguably the most successful professional sports team in the United States.. The Mets signed the 30-year-old pitcher to a five-year, $75 million contract this winter after 11 years with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. Fame Popularity . These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set And unlike football, baseball isn't aggressive and even children can play it. Use Ask Statista Research Service, Survey question: "Which professional baseball team do you like most? Vote up the best Japanese Baseball Players of 2023 and be sure to check out The Best Japanese MLB Players of All Time and The Greatest Baseball Players of All Time. This is an. Jessy is an avid baseball fan and writer for the popular website, Baseball Writes. NPB teams have active rosters of 28 players, as opposed to 26 in MLB (27 on days of scheduled day-night doubleheaders). The Yomiuri Giants have the most NPB championships, with 22. A seminal moment for Japanese baseball came in 1934: Yomiuri Shimbun president Matsutaro Shoriki organized a Japanese baseball all-star team that helped the sport take off. Regarding its domestic popularity, NPB is the most watched sports league in Japan. The locals have a lot of love for their home team and cheer them on noisily with drums and trumpets. One of the stadiums where the Ruth-led MLB All-Stars faced the All-Nippon team in the 1934 Japan tour. The strike was settled on 23 September 2004, when the owners agreed to grant a new franchise in the Pacific League and to continue the two-league, 12-team system. 8. Related: Where to buy Japanese baseball jerseys? Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. ", Central Research Services, Most popular baseball teams in Japan as of April 2022 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1195628/japan-most-popular-baseball-teams/ (last visited March 04, 2023), Most popular baseball teams in Japan as of April 2022 [Graph], Central Research Services, June 7, 2022. Major League Baseball faces competition from the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLS, and other sports. Baseballs Nippon Professional Baseball League has a global revenue of over $2 billion, making it the most successful professional league in the world. The Western League consists of five teams and is owned by the Pacific League. Overview and forecasts on trending topics, Industry and market insights and forecasts, Key figures and rankings about companies and products, Consumer and brand insights and preferences in various industries, Detailed information about political and social topics, All key figures about countries and regions, Market forecast and expert KPIs for 600+ segments in 150+ countries, Insights on consumer attitudes and behavior worldwide, Business information on 60m+ public and private companies, Detailed information for 35,000+ online stores and marketplaces. Japanese students, who returned from studying in the United States captivated by the sport, took government positions. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The Chunichi Dragons are nine-time winners of the NPB pennant. by Stephen Spiewak, March 29, 2021 Fans of the upcoming World Baseball Classic are going to see two versions, depending if the games are in the United States, Taiwan, or Japan. })(); Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Donald Glover: From Baseball Player To Award-Winning Actor, Stay Informed About Baseball With Baseball Tonight Scoreboard Podcast, Making Your Baseball Bat Stand Out: Stamping A USA Logo For A Patriotic Touch. Exploring The Mystery Of Magnum P I s Baseball Cap: Is It The Texas Rangers? The Hiroshima Toyo Carp, nicknamed Koi, is a pro baseball team based in Hiroshima. Birthplace: Oshu, Iwate, Japan. MLBs global revenue is $27.5 billion, with 26 teams. Here are top baseball teams whose home field atmospheres will have you cheering along with even the biggest fans. Other Sports, Trending Show publisher information Many locals consider the Tigers as the best to follow in the NPB. filters. Now the ace for the Padres, the 36-year-old, known for throwing 10 different pitch types, is returning to pitch in his first World Baseball Classic since 2009, when he helped lead Japan to gold as a 22-year-old star for the Fighters. 1. Find out more. Here's a guide to Japanese baseball in advance of the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The following are the most popular pro baseball teams in Japan. The Kochi Fighting Dogs arent a part of NPB, but the Shikoku Island League Plus. However, the game roster has a 25-player limit. 1 seed in the Climax Series' final stage -- a best-of-six series where the top team is awarded a one-win advantage and home field for all the games. Please create an employee account to be able to mark statistics as favorites. The site of Japan's famed national high school championship tournaments every summer in Nishinomiya. People living in and around Tokyo have it best: five of the 12 Nippon Professional Baseball teams in Japan are located in the Kanto area. Firstly, it's a fun sport to play. He is a proud supporter of his local team, the Toronto Blue Jays, and loves to explore the history and culture of the sport. Coming off a World Series victory in 2020, the team got better this . The roots of the league can be traced back to the formation of the "Greater Japan Tokyo Baseball Club . BEST OF THE BEST. M.L.B. In addition to winning two out of four World Baseball Classic titles, the country is among the best in the game and has some of the best talent Major League Baseball cannot compete with. All of them received or were approached for the People's Honour Award (, Kokumin Eiyosh) for their achievements and popularity. 2023 Schedules [ Pre-Season Games ] Feb. 23 (tur) - Mar. Odds to win World Series: +350. In 1974 The Dragons made history by winning their first title in 20 years and preventing Kyojin from winning an unprecedented 10th league in a row. Senga throws 100 mph with a signature "ghost forkball" and had a 1.94 ERA and 156 strikeouts in 2022. He was the AL Rookie of the Year and MVP in his first season with the Mariners in 2001 after leaving the Orix Blue Wave, and his 262 hits in '04 are the MLB single-season record. by Stephen Spiewak, April 03, 2020 We share four examples of the best Japanese art, and how you can get hold of outstanding prints so you can display these iconic artworks in your home! The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Additionally, MLB games are regularly broadcast on Japanese television. Known for his unique "tornado" windup, Nomo became the first Japanese pitcher to throw a no-hitter in the Majors on Sept. 17, 1996, for Los Angeles, and he threw another in his team debut for the Red Sox on April 4, 2001. Welcome Bonus $1000 Risk-Free Bet SCORE 8.6 Review GET BONUS Views ( 3340) Additionally, due to power limits imposed because of the 2011 Thoku earthquake and tsunami, the 2011 NPB regular season further limited game length by adding a restriction that no inning could begin more than three hours and thirty minutes after the first pitch. Traditionally, Osaka has a rivalry with Tokyo. Using the billing state for all MLB orders as of July 7, we were able to determine each state's most popular MLB teams according to overall percentage of tickets sold. Path to MLB: International free agent (2008, Los Angeles Dodgers) After 11 seasons in Japan, Hiroki Kuroda decided to make a move to MLB, and while he didn't have as much star power as some other Japanese pitchers, he was a durable starter for seven seasons.