By HIKARU UCHIDA/ Staff Writer
December 12, 2023 at 15:22 JST
Just hours after Shohei Ohtani's record-breaking deal hit the news, Dodger Blue became the hottest color in Japan.
About 20 customers lined up outside Selection, a Major League Baseball merchandise store in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward, before its doors opened on Dec. 10, the day the big announcement was made.
More customers came in to buy baseball caps, jackets and other merchandise off newly dedicated Los Angeles Dodgers shelves until the shop closed.
“I hope he takes time to fully recover from his injuries,” said a woman who came to the store with her sister. “I’m excited to see him play next season.”
The excitement spread throughout Japan, as excited Ohtani fans rushed to grab merchandise of the two-way superstar’s new team.
However, with the deal just announced, and the number he'll be wearing unknown, there are no Ohtani Dodgers goods available yet.
Ohtani jerseys with his new number are expected to arrive by the end of January, according to the Selection store manager.
However, Ohtani's Los Angeles Angels merchandise, which include team jerseys with his No. 17 number, also remain popular as it will soon be unavailable once he joins the Dodgers.
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