While Lars is an American, thanks to the Japanese heritage of his mother Kumi Enokida, Nootbaar is eligible to play for Team Japan. He also has a Dutch, German and English background thanks to his ...

Nootbaar is the first non-Japan-born player ever to play for the Japanese national team. He was born and raised in Los Angeles but is eligible to play for Japan because his mother, Kumiko, is from ...

Nootbaar, a 25-year-old center fielder for the Cardinals, was added to Team Japan's roster for the 2023 WBC. He has posted a slash line of .318/.483/.318 while performing well in the field during ...

Nootbaar is expected to be named soon to Japan's national team for the World Baseball Classic, joining teammate Tommy Edman in notable firsts for international tournament. How does Cardinals Lars ...

TOKYO, Japan — Most Japanese couldn't recognize Lars Nootbaar a few weeks ago, before the World Baseball Classic opened. Few could even pronounce his name or spell it in English or Japanese. He ...

Lars Nootbaar, a high-energy outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, was the first player born outside Japan to play for its national team. He put on a show. Skip to content Skip to site index.

Lars Nootbaar has taken the world by storm with the way he is playing for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic. He's batting .500 for the tournament with four runs and has been a big help, as ...

• Lars Nootbaar, CF, Japan – Atop Team Japan’s lineup, Nootbaar has been the table-setter for Ohtani and others. So far in the tournament, he’s batting .368 (seven-for-19) ...

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar just joined Japan's national team for the World Baseball Classic but he is already a big fan of Shohei Ohtani.

Lars Nootbaar of Japan reacts in 8th inning during the Pool B game between Japan and China at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) at the Tokyo Dome Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Tokyo.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar has suddenly become a popular star playing for Japan in the World Baseball Classic.