The Los Angeles Dodgers have always been a traditional powerhouse in Major League Baseball.

However, starting in 2024, they became a completely different team. This is because they gathered three of Japan's best pitchers, Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki, into one team.

All three were considered the best players in Japan, and with their presence, the Dodgers literally became the 'world's strongest team.' The results were as expected. The Dodgers maintained the top position in the entire United States until the 2025 season, achieving back-to-back World Series championships.

First, there is Shohei Ohtani. He is a player that anyone who loves baseball would know. He excels both as a pitcher and a hitter, making him a 'two-way player.' In his first year with the Dodgers, he couldn't pitch due to elbow surgery, but he was outstanding enough to be a candidate for the home run king as a hitter.

Then in 2025, Ohtani returned to the mound healthy. He perfectly executed a fastball averaging 99 miles per hour, along with sliders and splitters. The results were astonishing. He recorded an unbelievable 18 wins and an ERA of 2.20, while also hitting 40 home runs as a hitter.

Ohtani became the core of the Dodgers, playing the role of two superstars by himself. It's a situation where a pitcher gets applause just for hitting, and here he is, a powerful hitter aiming for the home run king... Perhaps we are witnessing a sports star that comes around once in a hundred years.

Next is Yoshinobu Yamamoto. He was called the 'perfect pitcher' since his days with the Orix Buffaloes in Japan. The Dodgers invested a tremendous amount to acquire him, but that money was well spent. From his first year in MLB, he overwhelmed hitters with his amazing control.

In 2024, he recorded 16 wins and 5 losses with an ERA of 2.50, and in 2025, he further improved, achieving an ERA of 2.10 and striking out 220 batters. He perfectly dominated hitters not only with a fastball at 95 miles per hour but also with a strong curve and cutter. Especially in big games, his mental strength remained unshaken. In the World Series, he pitched twice, recording 14 scoreless innings, proving who the real 'ace' is.

Finally, there is Roki Sasaki. He was known as a 'monster pitcher' in Japan, and as soon as he joined the Dodgers, he showcased skills worthy of that nickname. His top speed reached an incredible 102 miles per hour, and his signature forkball had a trajectory that even MLB hitters found difficult to hit.

In the 2025 season, he recorded 12 wins and 3 losses with an ERA of 2.60, contributing as the youngest member of the team. Although he struggled briefly due to stamina issues, he transformed into a completely different player in the postseason. Notably, in the NLCS, he recorded 14 strikeouts and no runs over 8 innings, earning the nickname 'Sasaki Show.' At just 21 years old, he shook the Major Leagues.

With the three Japanese pitchers coming together, the Dodgers' starting rotation became perfect. Along with Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Sasaki, there were veteran Clayton Kershaw and young power pitcher Bobby Miller, making it a nightmare for opposing teams. No matter when they played, the pitcher they had to face was among the best in the league.

Moreover, the batting lineup was also formidable. The core lineup featuring Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Ohtani was stronger than any other team. The Dodgers achieved overwhelming results, winning over 100 games in both the 2024 and 2025 regular seasons.

The Dodgers' back-to-back World Series championships were not just simple victories. They symbolized the globalization of baseball and the rising status of Japanese pitchers. The fact that three pitchers from Japan created the best team in America shows that baseball has truly become a global sport that transcends borders.

The Dodgers respected the training styles of the three players while also incorporating Major League training methods to create the best environment. As a result, Ohtani made a perfect comeback, Yamamoto grew into one of the league's top pitchers, and Sasaki opened a new era.

In the fall of 2025, when the Dodgers lifted the trophy again, no one was surprised. Everyone already knew.

"The victory of the Dodgers, with the three best pitchers from Japan, was a natural outcome."