Japan revelled Monday in a “golden age” for the nation’s baseball led by Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto after they played starring roles in the Los Angeles Dodgers winning back-to-back World Series.

Yamamoto in particular delivered one of the most remarkable pitching performances in World Series history, emerging from the bullpen in the decisive game seven to guide the Dodgers to a thrilling 5–4 extra-innings victory at the Toronto Blue Jays.

The 27-year-old’s heroic display came less than 24 hours after throwing 96 pitches as the starter in Friday’s series-levelling game six.

It was a feat that defied both logic and baseball convention — normally elite pitchers are granted several days’ rest after seeing significant duty — and saw him named World Series Most Valuable Player.

Yam

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