More than 10,000 fans show up at the Tokyo Dome to watch the Dodgers practice and cheer for Shohei Ohtani’s brief appearance on the field.

Ohtani’s star power is unmatched, and the Dodgers are seeing the fruits of Sho-economics. When they signed him, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman preached the idea of “painting Japan Dodger blue.” Now, the team is seeing that in person.

The last time the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers played on Opening Day was more than 60 years ago. And while so much has changed in the decades since, the April weather at Wrigley Field that day

Baseball mania reached fever pitch in Japan on Friday with public appearances of national hero Shohei Ohtani and other Japanese players set to take part in MLB season-opening games between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs.

Dodger-mania is in full swing in Tokyo. The Los Angeles Dodgers are getting ready for their season opener against the Chicago Cubs in Japan. KCAL Sports reporter Darren Haynes has been reporting from Tokyo,

Catcher Will Smith is selling the ball through his Catching Hope Foundation, in partnership with the Buehler Family Foundation and the Dodgers, with proceeds benefitting wildfire recovery efforts.

All 31 players are eligible to play in the two exhibition games against the Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers, but only 28 will be active for next week’s regular-season games against the Cubs.

The Dodgers brought plenty of star power abroad and also fun stories like Jack Dreyer, Nick Frasso and Luis García.