WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – He arrived from Japan late Thursday night, exhausted from the long flight and time change, but determined nonetheless to be in the Nationals clubhouse by 8 a.m., then on the practice fields a couple hours later for his first bullpen session as a major leaguer.
And with a bank of cameras, reporters, fans and even one Japanese pitching legend (Daisuke Matsuzaka) watching his every move from a few feet away, Shinnosuke Ogasawara took the mound and threw 40 pitches (at least 10 more than anyone else on hand today) before exiting to cool down and ultimately speak with those reporters and cameras.
What was Ogasawara’s first day at Nationals camp like?
“Nervous,” the left-hander said, according to interpreter Jumpei Ohashi.
Maybe there were nerves – and who could blame the 27-year-old for that – but there was still a positive takeaway from everyone who watched and interacted with the perpetually smiling Ogasawara.
