We're officially past the All-Star Break, and the race for the pennant is officially ON.
But first! At long last, Ichiro becomes the first ever Asian player in the Hall of Fame, so of course we have to talk about what that means to us, and how much MLB has changed since his tenure began.
Then, a quick overview of the All-Star Game. The NL won this round, but Ohtani has lost Best Dressed...again.
Onto the hot stove, Dane Dunning and Stuart Fairchild are the first Asians to move, but some big rumors have us refreshing our feeds until the deadline.
Position player news starts with Kim Ha Seong back on the IL, but Bo Bichette and Steven Kwan make big offensive contributions.
In pitching, Bryan Woo reaches a legendary record, Brennan Bernadino is has ZERO earned runs in over 11 IP in July, Shota Imanaga gets hung out to dry by his manager, and Kumar Rocker is finding his stride.
Lastly, Ohtani shows us that vintage TWP action against the Twins, continues to rake with 6 homers since the break, and is moonlighting as a children's book author.
Bryan Woo interview with International Examiner: https://iexaminer.org/seattle-mariners-starting-pitcher-bryan-woo-speaks-on-race-identity-and-being-a-role-model/
It only took half the year, but a bunch of our guys are finally back!
First, the Detroit Free Press reports on the MLB Players Association advising players to carry immigration documentation with them, Bryan Woo and his parents have a very sweet moment celebrating his first All-Star Game selection, and this year's MLB Draft sees not one, not two, but THREE Asian and Native Hawaiian players!
In position player news, Masataka Yoshida returns going 3-for-4 in his first game back, Kim Ha Seong is having a bumpy start to his season with minor injuries, and Bo Bichette, Travis d'Arnaud, Kyle Higashioka, and Lee Jung Hoo are all hot at the plate.
Pitching finally sees the return of Kodai Senga and the long-awaited season debuts of Sean Manaea and Yu Darvish. Meanwhile, Tomoyuki Sugano and Bryan Woo have strong games with their parents in attendance and Joey Cantillo, Dane Dunning, and Kumar Rocker stay solid.
Lastly, Ohtani's proving his comeback to the mound with more scoreless innings and an NL-leading 32 homers.
Detroit Free Press article: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2025/07/13/tigers-arent-worried-about-deportation-but-told-to-carry-documents/84507852007/
Bryan Woo calls his parents to share ASG selection:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5877AJvtDjk#:~:text=After%20learning%20he'd%20been%20selected%20to%20the,called%20his%20parents%20to%20share%20the%20news
It's that time of the year again...the All-Star Game is near and things are starting to get weird!
First, is BTS Suga a part-owner of the As??? The Dodgers lean into Japanese culture with One Piece Night and Hololive Night, and we have 6 Asians on the All-Star roster!
In position player news, Field Reporter Naomi Ko is on the scene for Kim Ha Seong's return (though short lived), Anthony Volpe beans Aaron Judge in the eye, Kyle Higashioka's Rangers-leading 5RBI game includes a deposit into the Higgy Bank, and Seiya Suzuki isn't worried his All-Star snub since his "plans are full."
Pitchers are feeling things! Exhaustion (Yamamoto and Sugano), finding their stride (Joey Cantillo and Kumar Rocker), and firmly in the groove (Bryan Woo, Yusei Kikuchi, and Shota Imanaga). Also, we welcome the big league debut of Shinnosuke Ogasawara and the season debut of Yu Darvish!
Lastly, Ohtani is officially Two Way Player status again...but how long until he makes a full start?
It's another week of Asians in Baseball, and everybody's taking notes!
First, our reaction to the Dodgers' response (or lack thereof) to the protests, the updated IL report, and a trade rumor and a DFA.
In position player news, Anthony Volpe needs the bump, Bo Bichette and Christian Yelich definitely do not, Steven Kwan shows off his Gold Glove defense, Seiya Suzuki counters two errors with two homers, and Kim Hyeseong earns more playing time.
Over in pitching, Tomoyuki Sugano and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are tired, the Angels continue to leave Yusei Kikuchi high and dry with the L, and Orion Kerkering has not given up an earned run since May 6th!
And Ohtani leads by example after getting HBP in the Padres/Dodgers Tour de Plunks and returns to the mound...maybe a little too early.
We interrupt your regularly scheduled Asians in Baseball to discuss how the Dodgers refuse to acknowledge the raids in our city. ICE OUT OF LA!
Wow, we take one week off, and now we have twice as much to discuss! (Makes sense.)
First, the Asian baseball world mourns the passing of Yomiuri Giants legend, Shigeo Nagashima, "Mr. Pro Baseball."
Then, into the nitty gritty. With June underway, it's that time of the year for the trade rumor mill to get up and running...and it seems like almost all the Asians on the Red Sox are possible trade chips. In other moves, we've got guys called up, guys on rehab stints, guys on the IL, and even a guy on a new team.
In position player news, Asians are MASHING. Seiya Suzuki is the first player in MLB to reach 50 RBI, Trevor Larnach is delivering on the Twins, Kim Hyeseong stays above 400, and Tommy Edman's son Eli is the newest Asian in Baseball as he throws out the first pitch on Dada's bobblehead night.
And in pitching, Tommy Sugar still leads Orioles pitching, Yusei Kikuchi and Yoshinobu Yamamoto get the Ohtani treatment, and Bryan Woo and Kodai Senga remain dominant.
Lastly, Ohtani tries to have it all as a three-way player: DHing, ramping up his pitching regimen, and juggling dad life.
Don't forget to vote for our guys for the All Star Game! https://www.mlb.com/all-star/ballot?affiliateId=asb-mediawall-asg-2025
With this many Asians doing this well, WE ALL BE WINNING!
First, the Dodgers v Dbacks game on 5/20 deserves its own segment with major contributions from Yamamoto, Carroll, Edman, and Ohtani.
Then, offense trends positive with our position players. Several of our guys are on a hot streak, Seiya Suzuki leads the league and his team, and will Stuart Fairchild and Corbin Carroll play for Team Taiwan in the 2026 WBC??
Over in pitching, Sugano continues to be a bright spot for the Os, Kikuchi finally notches his first W as an Angel, and Kumar Rocker is staying a starter, so stop spreading rumors!
Ohtani news has a huge turn this week with his first live BP, and equally importantly he finally dons a good outfit in NYC.
Asians in baseball are cruising in May!
First up, Japanese rock band ONE OK ROCK throws out the first pitch at a Mariners game, and the Baseball Hall of Fame's YAKYU exhibit opens in July.
Then, pitching news?! Before position players?! We're crazy for that one! Sugano, Kikuchi, and Senga get the Ohtani treatment with solid outings not resulting in wins, Brennan Bernadino's May ERA remains a pristine 0.00, and Woo and Yamamoto remain atop the charts.
In position player news, Rob and Stuart also shine despite team losses, Travis d'Arnaud's first homer of the year puts the Angels ahead (cries in Dodger fan), Hyeseong and Seiya lead all MLB in quad strength (unofficial), and IKF celebrates his Hall of Fame lineage.
And Ohtani is on one of his famous hot streaks, though he stays humble by getting struck out swinging by the A's backup catcher, gets intent balked by a former Dodger, and keeps improving his arm.
It's May, and you know what that means...AANHPI Heritage Month!
First, we chat on-the-ground reporter Naomi's visit to Target Field to see Trevor Larnach and Lee Jung Hoo in the flesh, Stephen Nelson's dedication to pronouncing Asian names correctly, and MLB's AAPI Heritage Month posts.
Then, our guys were making moves...on and off the roster. Connor Wong and IKF return from the IL, but a buuuunch of guys go on it, and Matt Bowman and Kenta Maeda are DFAed by their clubs. In AAPI Heritage Month?! Is that even legal?!
Player news is positive this week, with Steven Kwan having a stellar May (not to mention a sweet article about his mom), Kim Hyeseong is finally called up to the majors, and pitchers stay strong despite an L here and there.
And somewhere in there, the Kpop and Kbaseball worlds collide as Naomi declares which Korean MLB player corresponds with which member of BTS.
Article about Stephen Kwan's mom: https://www.mlb.com/news/steven-kwan-s-mom-key-to-his-success-with-guardians
Asians in baseball are in the swing of things!
First, the LA Kings have the Koreatown Senior Center for a harmonica half time performance, and on Dave Roberts' Bobblehead night, he gives back to the LA community impacted by the fires.
Our position players are blazing through April with Rob Refsnyder smashing the hardest hit homer of his career, Anthony Volpe shutting up the haters, Trevor Larnach mashing three homers since our last recording, and Steven Kwan on a 10-game hit streak.
In pitching news, Tomoyuki Sugano has found his groove, Joey Cantillo possibly prepares to join the Guardians' starting rotation, and who is on top in the battle of Shohei vs. Shota?
Asians in Hockey: https://open.spotify.com/show/1EmXiaE847jr4LuBj2D3Rx
Steven Kwan article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6303184/2025/04/24/steven-kwan-four-tenets-success-peak/
Around the league, it was a week of firsts!
First, Kim Ng (the first female GM in MLB history) has a new gig, and Kim's first Dodger game of the season at Korean Heritage Night is chaos.
Then, onto player news! Position players were in Home Run Derby mode with multiple guys getting their first long ball of the season (including some Asian-on-Asian crime), Steven Kwan hits a 2-run homer within a minute of Corbin Carroll's grand slam, and Tommy Edman thrives in the leadoff spot.
In pitching, Kumar Rocker notches his first career W, Joey Cantillo gets his first career save in a big spot, Yoshinobu Yamamoto matches his career-high SO in a pitchers duel against one of the best arms in the game, and Yusei Kikuchi continues to get the Angels' treatment that plagued Ohtani.
Speaking of, congratulations to the Ohtani family on the birth of their first child! Now can everyone chill out on this baby's future until she's been on earth a little longer?!
Asians were making (positive and less positive) waves from the Bay Area to Washington D.C. these past couple of weeks...
Of course, we have to talk about our disappointment with the Dodgers going to visit the White House, Jazz Chisolm Jr. makes his love of anime the star of the show, and NPB bans fans from posting to social media at games?!
In position player news, Tsung-Che Cheng debuts, Tommy keeps Tanking, and our on the ground reporter Naomi Ko describes the Lee Jung Hoo mania in San Francisco.
Pitching is strong! Tomoyuki Sugano gets his first Major League win, Bryan Woo bests Kumar Rocker in the Asians in Baseball head-to-head matchup, and Asians in the Bullpens are pristine.
Finally, Ohtani goes yard on his bobblehead night and a new celly is born.
Check out Nate Nakao's podcast Asians in Hockey here! https://linktr.ee/asiansinhockey
It's Opening Day 2025, and we've got the scoop on everything Asians in Baseball around the league!
First, Naomi did an Asians in Basketball side quest, Kim issues a warning about the dangers of your family members posting things on the internet that she will then use to verify her hunch that you're Asian, and we get into which Asians have accepted the invitation to the White House.
Pitching news brings the good and the bad! The good: Yamamoto has a career high 10 SO, Imanaga has a strong home open, and Bryan Woo continues to be unstoppable. The bad: Kikuchi gets the Ohtani treatment in Anaheim, Sasaki has a tough Dodger Stadium start, Tomoyuki Sugano exits his debut early, and Kim accidentally roots against Kenta Maeda.
In position player news, we've all heard about these new "torpedo bats," but did you know that they were created because of Anthony Volpe?? And lots of our guys are off to strong starts in the season, especially our favorite two way player IKF and offensive and defensive machine Tommy Edman.
Lastly, Ohtani news is back! But when is he back on the mound???
It's tiiiiiiiiime for TOKYOOOOO BASEBALLLLL!!! Kim and Scott discuss the Tokyo Series! The Dodgers explore Japanese culture, both MLB clubs are blanked by the Hanshin Tigers, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shota Imanaga make history, Roki Sasaki debuts, and who is already in hot water with Kim for intent walking Ohtani in Japan?!
We are BACK, baby! Just in time to discuss the highlights from the off-season and the buzz around the Tokyo Series. And of course it's a beefy episode to kick off the season, what else would you expect from your favorite podcast about Asians in baseball where we just yap about Asians in baseball?!
Gold Glove/Silver Slugger awards, a chaotic Game 5 to close the season, the long-awaited parade, and Asians in Free Agency
WHAT. A. SERIES. We’ve got you covered on Games 1-4 fashion, Naomi’s trip to the fall classic, Yamamoto’s debut, Ohtani’s injury, Tommy’s clutch hits, and the Anthony Volpe Slam Heard ‘Round The World. Were our Game 5 predictions right?? Listen now to find out!
Prociety 다저스 hat pre-order: https://procietyshop.com/collections/pre-order-dodgers-korea-script
Prociety interview: https://abc7.com/post/la-hat-shop-prociety-drops-exclusive-korean-dodger-caps-owner-says-tommy-edman-wining-nlcs-mvp-was-proud-moment-koreans/15482179/
This is an EXTRA beefy episode, so let's get right into it!
First, a moment for the passing of Dodger Legend, Fernando Valenzuela. Thank you for all your contributions.
Then, a Championship Series recap: Steven Kwan and Anthony Volpe both fight for their teams to make it to the final round, an extra special extra long segment about Yoshinobu Yamamoto's luxury handbags, all love for Sean Manaea's best year yet, and Tommy Edman becomes the first Asian NLCS MVP in MLB history!
Finally, World Series predictions, anyone??
Steven Kwan's ode to the Postseason: https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/steven-kwan-mlb-cleveland-guardians-baseball
Kwan's postgame interview: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/steven-kwan-gets-honest-about-playoff-loss-to-yankees/ar-AA1sBA8Q
Sean Manaea's postgame interview: https://sny.tv/articles/sean-manaea-would-love-to-be-back-mets-next-season
Two weeks into the postseason, and the players have come to PLAY. Well…almost.
First up, we celebrate the Gold Glove nominations of Anthony Volpe and Steven Kwan!
Then, into the ALDS - Volpe finds himself in the middle of some Yankees-Royals postseason drama and Kwan hits a massive .524 and writes himself into the history books to help Cleveland advance.
Across the league, the NLDS was a pitching masterclass. Orion Kerkering has a solid postseason for the Phillies, Kodai Senga and Sean Manaea keep the Mets afloat, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Yu Darvish face off in a historic matchup.
Game 1 of the ALCS wasn’t much to write home about if you’re a position player, but the Guardians sacrifice Joey Cantillo to the Yankees’ Murderer’s Row and he pays the price.
In the NLCS, Kodai Senga struggles to get back into the swing of things but Sean Manaea stays cool, calm, and consistent in Game 2, and Ohtani is slumping at the exact wrong time but his teammate Tommy Edman shows himself to be the BUNT KING.
Volpe’s great catch: https://www.mlb.com/yankees/video/vinnie-pasquantino-lines-out-softly-to-shortstop-anthony-volpe
Volpe’s double play: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5835577/2024/10/10/yankees-royals-benches-clear-alds-game-4/
1977 ALCS: https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/yankees-jazz-chisholm-accuses-royals-maikel-garcia-of-trying-to-hurt-anthony-volpe-on-slide-sore-loser/
Andy McCullough article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5838152/2024/10/12/dodgers-yoshinobu-yamamoto-padres/
Dylan Hernandez article: https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2024-10-15/shohei-ohtani-dodgers-nlcs-game-2-struggles
WOWOWOW. This Postseason is bringing the DRAMA!
First, the end of an era as the legend Choo Shin Soo retires after 18 seasons of pro ball, and Shota Imanaga’s interpreter Edwin Stanberry gets high praise.
Let’s get into the Wild Card: in the AL, Detroit leaves Kenta Maeda off the roster, Yusei Kikuchi never makes it to his start and will likely be released into free agency, and Tommy Pham is ever the postseason professional.
The NL Wild Card brought Sean Manaea’s first start of the postseason, the Asianless Brewers are eliminated, and Kyle Higashioka impresses big stars.
Now onto the ALDS: Steven Kwan has a big - if controversial - catch in game 2, Anthony Volpe has an impressive at bat but a costly error, and Kenta Maeda STILL hasn’t made the roster.
It’s the NLDS where things really start getting nuts: the Mets bring Kodai Senga back after only 5IP in the regular season, Sean Manaea dedicates his lights-out performance to his aunt, and the series with the most Asians - SD vs. LA - is getting HAIRY.
Steven Kwan’s big catch: https://www.mlb.com/video/steven-kwans-incredible-diving-catch
