![BASEBALL/ Nootbaar a.k.a. 'Tatsuji' captures hearts and minds of Japanese fans](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/uKZfjLNVFPI/mqdefault.jpg)
How Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar became an instant fan favorite for Japan at World Baseball Classic
![BASEBALL/ Nootbaar a.k.a. 'Tatsuji' captures hearts and minds of Japanese fans](https://p.potaufeu.asahi.com/4b28-p/picture/27478163/7e870ddfbee5de6523b1d489007f7ce5.jpg)
BASEBALL/ Murakami comes through, sends Japan to WBC final against U.S.
![BASEBALL/ Nootbaar a.k.a. 'Tatsuji' captures hearts and minds of Japanese fans](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/03/a6b5e-16783167976726-1920.jpg)
World Baseball Classic fans wowed by outfielder Lars Nootbaar's signature on-base celebration becoming a sensation in Japan: Most Noot thing ever
![BASEBALL/ Nootbaar a.k.a. 'Tatsuji' captures hearts and minds of Japanese fans](https://p16-sign.tiktokcdn-us.com/obj/tos-useast5-p-0068-tx/f575b62ce5964e8eb35c10a52a7b04b9_1679350380?x-expires=1694772000&x-signature=OSImQQfpVCl8RjmNYAG8jZRSnXI%3D)
Lars Nootbaar is quickly becoming a Japanese legend ❤️🇯🇵 @ben_verlan
![BASEBALL/ Nootbaar a.k.a. 'Tatsuji' captures hearts and minds of Japanese fans](https://wehco.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/imports/adg/photos/203828149_203828149-923b8d614f9e45d7bf47be74e3bf2409.jpg)
Nootbaar brings 'grind-it-out spirit' to Japan
![BASEBALL/ Nootbaar a.k.a. 'Tatsuji' captures hearts and minds of Japanese fans](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/10/ff8bd-16961095847791-1920.jpg?h=320)
World Baseball Classic fans wowed by outfielder Lars Nootbaar's signature on-base celebration becoming a sensation in Japan: Most Noot thing ever
![BASEBALL/ Nootbaar a.k.a. 'Tatsuji' captures hearts and minds of Japanese fans](https://wehco.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/imports/adg/photos/203828149_203828149-15d0945a30a540b5ba358d95979199fd.jpg)
Nootbaar brings 'grind-it-out spirit' to Japan
![BASEBALL/ Nootbaar a.k.a. 'Tatsuji' captures hearts and minds of Japanese fans](https://static.independent.co.uk/2023/03/08/13/WBC_Baseball_Japan_63454.jpg?quality=75&height=166&fit=bounds&format=pjpg&crop=16%3A9%2Coffset-y0.5&auto=webp)
Ohtani's Japan teammates, like Lars Nootbaar, are also fans
![BASEBALL/ Nootbaar a.k.a. 'Tatsuji' captures hearts and minds of Japanese fans](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hXnuOst0e4g/hq720.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEhCK4FEIIDSFryq4qpAxMIARUAAAAAGAElAADIQj0AgKJD&rs=AOn4CLARniJ468CqmYhFih1Dcbwuj1pmmw)
Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar playing with Shohei Ohtani & Japan, his MLB debut and MORE!
![BASEBALL/ Nootbaar a.k.a. 'Tatsuji' captures hearts and minds of Japanese fans](https://p.potaufeu.asahi.com/4926-p/picture/27452564/2876b610868c80e73a52b44c85bdf0b2.jpg)
BASEBALL/ Nootbaar a.k.a. 'Tatsuji' captures hearts and minds of Japanese fans
![BASEBALL/ Nootbaar a.k.a. 'Tatsuji' captures hearts and minds of Japanese fans](https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/t_2x1/t_w1536/mlb/fnvjslqrrz3idm6yzfdh.jpg)
Lars Nootbaar has his own ramen in Tokyo
![BASEBALL/ Nootbaar a.k.a. 'Tatsuji' captures hearts and minds of Japanese fans](https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/ar_16:9,g_auto,q_auto:good,w_1024,c_fill,f_jpg,dpr_3.0/mlb/cl2a7t8q7etrrjzhtyec)
Lars Nootbaar has his own ramen in Tokyo
![BASEBALL/ Nootbaar a.k.a. 'Tatsuji' captures hearts and minds of Japanese fans](https://wehco.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/imports/adg/photos/203828149_203828149-1c154e1d177e43ac9cccb5662ee17baf.jpg)
Nootbaar brings 'grind-it-out spirit' to Japan