It's another week of Asians in Baseball, and is it just us, or is it bright in here with all these STARS?!

First, Team Taiwan and Lin Chin-Tse win the Little League World Series! Saweetie, V, and Sonny throw out the first pitch (in separate games, but wouldn't that be sick if it was the same one!) And a very special listener recap from Brian Nguyen on his time at Ichiro's number retirement.

Then, in position players: Anthony Volpe is still trying to get out of his slump, we've got hit streaks on hit streaks, Jahmai Jones emerges as a candidate for Team Korea, Mookie is impressed by the Grandson of the Wind, and Steven Kwan is the first player featured in MLB's new Youtube series No Easy Outs.

In pitching, Mets #4 prospect Jonah Tong is called up to The Show, Shinnosuke Ogasawara gets the "diminutive Asian" treatment (he's 5' 11" and 205 lbs btw), Naomi argues a strong case for Bryan Woo winning the Cy Young, Yu Darvish holds a masterclass on the Art of Pitching, and Riley O'Brien is soaring.

Finally, Ohtani continues to prove his status as the GOAT: going on an offensive tear vs. the Angels when the rest of the Dodgers can't buy a hit, taking a liner off the thigh and staying in the game, and making friends with a Padres heckler who can't help but love the guy.

Steven Kwan on No Easy Outs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb741rMPOqc

Bryan Woo article in The Athletic: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6567405/2025/08/22/bryan-woo-mariners-bob-uecker/

Just another week over here at Asians in Baseball with legends making history!

First, Ichiro's number is retired by the Mariners and Jen Pawol becomes the first female umpire of an MLB game (not Asians in Baseball, but we of course have to shout her out!)

Then, our position players stay hot! The battle of Kim Ha Seong vs Bryan Woo goes to the Ray (though Woo gets the W in the game), multiple guys are smashing pitches, Lars Nootbaar robs the Dodgers of a crucial hit that ends with Riley O'Brien's first win of the season, and Steven Kwan leads in a very specific stat.

In pitching, Kai-Wei Teng dedicates his first MLB win on Taiwanese Father's Day to his dad, Bryan Woo ties two records of legendary pitchers, and Tommy Sugar and Joey Cantillo are on the rise.

Lastly, Shohei isn't the only Ohtani in town! His dad's middle school baseball team plays Torrance and visits Dodger Stadium, at which game the better known Ohtani gets his 1000th career hit - a home run, of course.

The title sums it up this week, but we're still gonna dive deep!

First, Asians in Futbol news with the annoucement of Son Heung-min's signing with LAFC (not confirmed as of recording time but has since been made official!), The Angels and Dodgers pull out all the stops for Japanese celebrations, and Choo Shin Soo becomes HOF eligible next year.

As for the trade deadline, Steven Kwan did NOT move, much to the chagrin of...the Dodgers, of course. Kenta Maeda is released by the Cubs, but their loss means DAAAAAAAA YANKEES...win?! And a few other moves from earlier in the summer.

In position player news, Volpe's hot! Bo's hot! Higgy's hot! Yeli's hot! IKF's hot! Tommy Pham's hot! Lee Jung Hoo is trying to do his best with what he's got in the moment! And Tommy Edman and Kim Hyeseong need to get well soon!

Over in pitching, PUT SOME RESPECT ON YU DARVISH'S NAME! We're talking to you, Yu Darvish! He keeps it humble while breaking yet another record for a Japanese-born pitcher, Sean Manaea is feeling good, Imanaga and Yamamoto are cruising, and Riley O'Brien is on fire.

Lastly, in Ohtani news, his last start may not have gone to plan, but he just cranks up the dial in the other direction.

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.