Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Dodgers Infielders Embrace Japanese Culture During Tokyo Series

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Conor Liguori | Last updated Mar 19, 2025 4:54 PM ET

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Chicago Cubs 4-1 in game one of the 2025 MLB Tokyo Series.

Before the game, players from both teams spoke with the media about their experiences playing games in Japan.

One Dodgers player that displayed a tremendous amount of appreciation for Japanese sports and culture is utility man Enrique Hernandez. Hernandez arrived at his joint press conference with shortstop Miguel Rojas sporting a Japan national soccer team jersey.

His jersey read "Hernandez" on the back, and while speaking to Hiroki Noda of Kyodo News, the Puerto Rican claimed to be quite the soccer player.

"I tried out for the Japanese soccer team, and I made the team," Hernandez said at his pregame press conference on Tuesday, per Hiroki Noda of Kyodo News.

Noda also reports that Hernandez wore the jersey during batting practice at the Tokyo Dome.

Hernandez played first base in Tuesday's game but went 0-for-5 with a strikeout at the plate. His teammate and press conference colleague Rojas went 1-for-4. Together, the two went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.

Despite their rough batting performances, the two players spoke highly about their time at a team dinner orchestrated by Japanese teammates Shohei Ohtani, Yohsinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki.

On Monday night, all Dodgers players who traveled to Japan gathered for dinner, and Freddie Freeman ate sushi for the first time.

Shohei Ohtani shared a look at the players-only dinner he, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki hosted. pic.twitter.com/fb1EqKWLqJ
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) March 17, 2025

"It was amazing," said Rojas about his experience at the team dinner, per Hiroki Noda of Kyodo News. "We really appreciate the opportunity to taste a little bit of not just food but also the culture of Japan."

The 2025 MLB Tokyo Series was the first time in Dodgers history that the organization played games in Japan.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: