MLB Makes Japan Impact Announcement on Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani

Ohtani is not the sole contributor to increased TV ratings, but he is certainly a key catalyst. The Japanese numbers particularly stand out. His following is even greater in that baseball-obsessed country, and he has recently helped recruit fellow countrymen, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, to Los Angeles.

The Dodgers will always garner tons of attention, but their international brand, especially in the Pacific, is astounding. That was never more on display than this past weekend, when their Sunday Night Baseball matchup versus the New York Yankees averaged 2.73 million viewers, the program’s highest total in seven years.

The league has done well to market its top two cities, top two franchises, and top two players (Ohtani and Aaron Judge), and based on the ratings, will continue to do so. Marketing executives are probably foaming at the mouth at the thought of a World Series rematch.

The league has also excelled at expanding its audience, implementing rule changes like the pitch clock and increased base sizes. People struggle with attention spans nowadays, and shortening games and manufacturing excitement, such as the controversial ghost runner in extra innings, are paying dividends.

Even with other leagues like the NFL and NBA earning widespread media attention, baseball’s regionalism is flourishing. So long as demigods like Ohtani are around, the league will be in good hands.