Yoshinobu Yamamoto Shares His Journey in Tokyo: Reveals Past Fear of Pitching, Emphasizes How Sleep Aided His Growth

After helping the Los Angeles Dodgers secure back-to-back World Series titles and earning MVP honors, ace pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto returned to Tokyo on January 24 to attend a Nike event. The renowned top pitcher rarely opened up about his most vulnerable moments during his career, admitting that in the 2024 MLB debut season’s Division Series, he experienced fear stepping onto the mound for the first time.

Yamamoto recalled that 2024 was a challenging year for him, having missed three months due to a right shoulder injury. In his postseason return, he gave up five runs in just three innings against the San Diego Padres. When the series reached a decisive Game 5, and he was once again tasked as the starting pitcher, the pressure was immense. He said, “That was the most nervous moment of my life. My mind was filled with negative thoughts, and I even felt scared to go out there, constantly worrying about what would happen if I got hit hard again.”

However, that fear eventually became a driving force for breakthrough. Yamamoto believes that the intense psychological pressure pushed him to prepare thoroughly. “This obsession and anxiety about the game can actually be transformed into performance on the field.” Ultimately, he delivered a flawless five innings without allowing a run in the do-or-die game, erasing the previous setback and laying the foundation for the Dodgers’ championship.

This mental growth journey also led to Yamamoto’s full evolution in the 2025 season. Last year, he not only posted outstanding stats with 12 wins, a 2.49 ERA, and 201 strikeouts in the regular season, but also achieved a remarkable 5-1 record in the playoffs. In Game 7 of the World Series, he performed a rare “zero days rest” relief feat, becoming the first Japanese player to win World Series MVP since Hideki Matsui.

When asked by a young player about increasing pitch speed, the 178 cm tall Yamamoto humorously self-joked, “Looking back now, I probably should have slept more when I was in elementary school.” He earnestly advised, “I believe nutrition and sleep during growth periods are really important.” He cited Dragons pitcher Hiroto Takahashi as an example: “Takahashi said he happened to sleep a lot during high school because of the pandemic, and suddenly grew taller. Whether it’s true or not, I don’t know.” After entering professional baseball, Takahashi trains with Yamamoto every offseason, and the two were teammates on Japan’s 2023 World Baseball Classic team. Yamamoto regards him as a “cute little brother.”

At the event, Yamamoto also shared his hobby from his hometown, Bizen City in Okayama Prefecture: “Bizen pottery.” Because a friend’s father is a ceramic artist, he has been exposed to this craft since childhood. “When making pottery, I can fully focus, and that feeling is very good.” He often uses bowls he made himself for meals and has even crafted a special bowl for Shohei Ohtani. Last March, Ohtani shared Yamamoto’s creations on social media, including bowls engraved with “Shohei,” “OHTANI 17,” and “Mamiko,” as well as a food dish for his dog “Decoy.” Each piece bears Yamamoto’s signature character “由,” symbolizing their deep friendship.