Opening the 2025 season in Tokyo was supposed to be Major League Baseball’s way of honoring the game’s popularity and influence. Instead, it stirred a backlash among American fans, upset over the early morning start times. But Ben Verlander, baseball analyst and younger brother of Giants ace Justin Verlander, isn’t buying the complaints. He’s not just defending the league’s choice—he’s urging fans to embrace it.
With the start time pushed back because of the time difference, the critics have argued that MLB is alienating its core American audience. After all, the timings for the American audience to catch the Game 1 live was 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) / 3:00 a.m. Pacific Time (PT), and for the Game 2, it was same. But Verlander sees it differently. “The game of baseball is growing exponentially,” he said in a passionate defense of the international opener on his Flippin’ Bats podcast. “Since Shohei Ohtani has become the face of it, baseball has grown more than anybody can put into words around the globe. And games like this help do that.”
Verlander has been a supporter of baseball’s growth for a long time and has highlighted the importance of players like Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Rōki Sasaki, Shota Imanaga, and Seiya Suzuki returning to Japan for real, high-stakes games. “It’s really cool to see them go back home and play regular-season baseball,” he added.
Verlander knows this well. He emphasized that MLB’s growth isn’t just about catering to U.S. audiences—it’s about expanding the game worldwide. And few markets are more baseball-obsessed than Japan. “If you’re for one second saying this is dumb because you have to wake up early or you’ll sleep through it, I implore you to watch these games,” he said.
Game 1 of the Tokyo Series was more than just an exhibition—it’s a showcase of MLB’s best, played in front of one of the most passionate fan bases in the world. And game 2? It marked Rōki Sasaki’s long-anticipated MLB debut. For baseball’s future, these games are a statement. The sport isn’t just thriving—it’s global.
The business of baseball: Why Japan matters to MLB
The Tokyo Series organized by MLB is not merely a show but a strategic business decision, with significant financial consequences at stake here. It’s important to recognize that Japan is not any market on the global stage, it holds a strong position in the world of baseball with its devoted fan base and successful professional league (NPB).
Also, the country has a tradition of nurturing top-tier talent that has made a lasting impact on MLB’s popularity through players like Ichiro Suzuki and Shohei Ohtani. They have consistently captured the attention of audiences worldwide resulting in increased sales of jerseys, hiked TV ratings, and a surge in interest in the sport. Bringing regular season games to Tokyo not only pays tribute to Japan’s baseball heritage, it also solidifies its hold on a market that yields billions in profits.
MLB considers Japan a valuable industry due to its broadcasting agreements with networks and the popularity of native stars such as Ohtani and Yamamoto who drive high demand for the sport there. Apart from this, Ohtani’s groundbreaking $700 million contract with the Dodgers attracted a slew of brands seeking sponsorship deals, showcasing his impact beyond his performance on the field. Merchandise sales soar whenever a Japanese star rises, and the time zone differences allow MLB to tap into a nearly 24-hour cycle of televised baseball.
So while some American fans grumble about waking up early, MLB is playing the long game—expanding its global footprint and securing its financial future.
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