This photo taken on September 21, 2024 shows Masanori Murakami, the first Japanese player to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the US, speaking with AFP in front of a framed autograph and image of Jackie Robinson (back R) - who was the first Black player in the Major Leagues in 1947 - during an interview in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture, south of Tokyo. Shohei Ohtani last week made Major League Baseball history but it was Masanori Murakami who laid the groundwork 60 years ago when he became the first Japanese player in MLB. Now 80 and with a twinkle in his eye, Murakami says Ohtani is a "model" baseball player and the perfect ambassador for Japan. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP) / TO GO WITH: baseball-JPN-MLB-Murakami-OhtaniI, INTERVIEW by Andrew MCKIRDY (Photo by RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

This photo taken on September 21, 2024 shows Masanori Murakami, the first Japanese player to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the US, looking at a collection of memorabilia - including a photo of himself (C-in photo) with teammate and Hall of Famer Willie Mays (L-in photo) - before an interview with AFP in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture, south of Tokyo. Shohei Ohtani last week made Major League Baseball history but it was Masanori Murakami who laid the groundwork 60 years ago when he became the first Japanese player in MLB. Now 80 and with a twinkle in his eye, Murakami says Ohtani is a "model" baseball player and the perfect ambassador for Japan. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP) / TO GO WITH: baseball-JPN-MLB-Murakami-OhtaniI, INTERVIEW by Andrew MCKIRDY (Photo by RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

This photo taken on September 21, 2024 shows Masanori Murakami, the first Japanese player to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the US, pointing to an autograph from 1965 by Hall of Fame great Hank Aaron in a collection of memorabilia, before an interview with AFP in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture, south of Tokyo. Shohei Ohtani last week made Major League Baseball history but it was Masanori Murakami who laid the groundwork 60 years ago when he became the first Japanese player in MLB. Now 80 and with a twinkle in his eye, Murakami says Ohtani is a "model" baseball player and the perfect ambassador for Japan. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP) / TO GO WITH: baseball-JPN-MLB-Murakami-OhtaniI, INTERVIEW by Andrew MCKIRDY (Photo by RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: A fan plays baseball in the parking lot before the Oakland Athletics game against the Texas Rangers at the Oakland Coliseum on September 25, 2024 in Oakland, California. The final Athletics game at the Coliseum will be played on September 26. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: A fan plays baseball in the parking lot before the Oakland Athletics game against the Texas Rangers at the Oakland Coliseum on September 25, 2024 in Oakland, California. The final Athletics game at the Coliseum will be played on September 26. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Baseball Hall of Famer and former Oakland Athletics player Rickey Henderson signs autographs before the Oakland Athletics game against the Texas Rangers at the Oakland Coliseum on September 25, 2024 in Oakland, California. The final Athletics game at the Coliseum will be played on September 26. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Baseball Hall of Famer and former Oakland Athletics player Rickey Henderson signs autographs before the Oakland Athletics game against the Texas Rangers at the Oakland Coliseum on September 25, 2024 in Oakland, California. The final Athletics game at the Coliseum will be played on September 26. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes pauses after giving up an RBI single to St. Louis Cardinals' Nolan Arenado during the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)