Tokyo Series Notes: Famous Baseball Fans Soak up the Atmosphere at the Big Egg

Hard-core baseball fan Bill Murray and American rock 'n' roll star Jack White of White Stripes fame were among the high-profile attendees for the MLB Tokyo Series opener on Tuesday night, March 18 at Tokyo Dome.

Tennis icon Billie Jean King also attended the Los Angeles Dodgers-Chicago Cubs opener.

"What a thrill to be in Tokyo for #OpeningDay of the 2025 MLB season with the Dodgers," King wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.

King also tweeted a photo of herself with the Commissioner's Trophy, which was awarded to LA for winning the 2024 World Series.

On Wednesday, King and business partner and NBA legend Magic Johnson and his wife Cookie went to the Dodgers-Cubs game.

A day earlier, Murray spoke to MLB Network about the atmosphere at Tokyo Dome.

For decades, the actor, who starred in the popular movie "Lost in Translation," which was filmed in Tokyo and released in 2003, has been a loyal supporter of the Cubs.

White posted a note on his Instagram account describing his Tokyo Dome adventures on Tuesday.

"You know what it's like when you go to see an MLB game between the Cubs and the Dodgers in Tokyo, Japan, wearing a game worn Cubs jersey from the year you were born ('75) with your favorite number on it that Eddie Vedder gifted you before the game and you walk to your seat and realize that Bill Murray is by the randomness of the universe sitting next to you to watch that game," White wrote. "You know that feeling right?"

Tokyo Series — *Seiya Suzuki fans show support for the popular Cubs player on March 19. (©SANKEI)*

Murray Loves to Laugh and Watch Baseball

Wearing a Cubs sweatshirt and baseball cap before the MLB season-opening game on Tuesday at Tokyo Dome, Murray shared some of his impressions about Japanese culture and his love of baseball.

"Oh, it's great," Murray said in an on-field interview with MLB Network's Harold Reynolds. "Japan is a great place. If you've never been here before, I strongly recommend you come here and stay and visit. People are really fun and they are really good laughers. That's what I was very surprised and pleased to find. They really like to laugh."

Reynolds, a former MLB second baseman (1983-94), said he considers Murray the "biggest Cubs fan in the world."

"I don't know if I'm the biggest," Murray said in response.

But, he added, "I've grown up that way and I'm going to die that way."

Game 2's Ceremonial First Pitch

Koji Uehara, a nine-time NPB All-Star for the Yomiuri Giants who also pitched for four MLB teams including the Cubs, threw the ceremonial first pitch on Wednesday night.

Uehara was named MVP of the 2013 American League Championship Series and he helped the Boston Red Sox win the World Series that year.

"First, I'm glad my pitch reached the catcher," Uehara said.

"Also, I can't [say] thanks enough for the atmosphere that they created for me. I'm happy that [Cubs pitcher] Shota Imanaga caught for me."

One of the Best-Ever Teams on Opening Day

Among MLB franchises that have appeared in a minimum of 100 Opening Day games, the Dodgers have the third-best winning percentage (.556, 79 wins, 63 defeats).

The reigning World Series champions made their National League debut in 1890, and moved from Brooklyn, New York, to Los Angeles after the 1957 season.

Which franchise owns the best winning percentage in openers?

The Baltimore Orioles, previously known as the St Louis Browns, at .594% (73-50). And the New York Yankees (originally called the Highlanders) have a .569% (70-53).

On a related note, the Cubs played their 150th Opening Day game on Tuesday. They are 81-67-2 in season openers.

*Former Dodgers hurler Hideo Nomo in an 1995 file photo.*

Representing Japan in Dodgers Blue

Hideo Nomo became LA's first Japanese-born player in 1995. Since then an influx of players born in Nomo's homeland have played for the Dodgers.

The others: Masao Kida, Kazuhisa Ishii, Norihiro Nakamura, Takashi Saito, Hiroki Kuroda, Yu Darvish, Kenta Maeda, Shohei Ohtani, Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki.

Injury Update

Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, MVP of the 2024 World Series, sat out both games of the Tokyo Series due to what was officially labeled "left rib discomfort." LA manager Dave Roberts said Freeman should be back in the lineup soon.

The longtime skipper told reporters before the game on Wednesday that Freeman will likely play in the Freeway Series opener, an exhibition game, against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, March 23.

"He lobbied hard, like he always does," Roberts said of Freeman, who played against the Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers in exhibition games on March 15 and 16, according to MLB.com, adding, "he wants to play every day."

Roberts then said, "He kind of prepared to play, but ultimately conceded to myself and the training staff. It's just too early in the season to potentially put him in harm's way. He feels much better than he did yesterday. My expectation is that he'll be good to go for the Freeway Series."

Music Performance

Japanese girl vocal group Little Glee Monster performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Kimigayo" before Game 2.

Quote of the Day

"I know Shohei puts his pants on just like we do, one leg at a time, but if ever there's a superhero I think Shohei just seems like a superhero. In the biggest of games, or the biggest of moments, he seems to always deliver."

―Roberts on the reigning NL MVP, speaking after Game 2.

Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.