![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_7929,h_4460,x_0,y_333/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/33/01gw24zk2cgyynxej61d.jpg)
Rough day for Cardinals players in Japan-Mexico WBC semifinal
![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://beta.ctvnews.ca/cp24/en/sports/2023/3/21/1_6323402/_jcr_content/root/responsivegrid/image.coreimg.jpg)
World Baseball Classic: Japan beats U.S. to win first title since 2009
![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://gray-kmov-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/DN6GWemoOXY4iqnB3aJMLs2Pk1o=/1200x900/smart/filters:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/GJMU7EZWVNERLBHUSJWPPE2RKA.jpg)
Nootbaar collects two hits, teaches Ohtani to grind the pepper as Team Japan wins exhibition
![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/53/1537631d-28a3-5baf-9669-b8dc06f970cc/63bf3beef205d.image.jpg?resize=1920%2C1080)
How does Cardinals Lars Nootbaar build on breakout '22? He could start with Team Japan
![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/2023/03/12/997df1e0-572b-4e7f-a40c-0fba34656a74/schwarber.jpg?width=320&height=180)
How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic
![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3101,h_1744,x_0,y_207/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/33/01gvca26rn06m1wrp2jh.jpg)
Lars Nootbaar is becoming one of the most popular players in baseball
![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://img.asmedia.epimg.net/resizer/xcjQhxhjZMw4gzguFYdQQGxRV6o=/1472x828/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/diarioas/LGFBQVYTO5HAYHPM4PV5WCRCLY.jpg)
Shoei Otahni makes Japan Champion of the World Baseball Classic 2023: scores, stats and highlights of USA defeat - AS USA
![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://www.multippl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Peppermill-908x1024.jpg)
Lars Nootbaar and his Half Japanese Identity Redefining Japanese Baseball
![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/t_16x9/t_w1024/mlb/r30dgjm6x27nwz4vxub7)
Shohei Ohtani named 2023 World Baseball Classic MVP
![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/CXWISEG5RBBHDOOCEMN3I3NUOM.jpg)
Lars Nootbaar brings 'grind-it-out spirit' to Japan and WBC
![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2022%2F0826%2Fr1053305_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg)
Lars Nootbaar, Masataka Yoshida join Japan's WBC roster - ESPN
![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/web1_AP_ohtani_more_baseball.jpg)
Shohei Ohtani and Japan: It's much more than just baseball - West Hawaii Today
![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72277313/1489584928.0.jpg)
Lars Nootbaar is an international treasure - Viva El Birdos
![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://external-preview.redd.it/team-japan-says-goodbye-to-lars-nootbaar-v0-TIlEpheNAmLTSkp1UxKYeLvoxD-YVc4_zkzc6wqSewc.jpg?auto=webp&s=5321fd286ec9cee600243944cac9218c8827c81c)
Team Japan says goodbye to Lars Nootbaar : r/baseball