Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto has signed a four-year deal with Major League Baseball's Toronto Blue Jays. His daughter's preference for the team's logo played a key role in the decision. He revealed the story during his introductory press conference on Tuesday.
Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto, 29, made his decision to join Major League Baseball's Toronto Blue Jays with input from his young daughter, in what has been called one of baseball's most endearing free agency stories. The four-year deal was signed on Sunday, and Okamoto was formally introduced as the team's newest member during a press conference in Toronto on Tuesday.
Over 11 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball, Okamoto established himself as one of Japan's most feared right-handed hitters. A six-time NPB All-Star, he led the league in home runs three times. Last year, however, he was limited to 69 games due to an elbow injury sustained in a collision with a batter while playing first base.
Before finalizing his choice, Okamoto presented his daughter with the logos of all 30 MLB teams and asked for her favorite. She selected Toronto's stylized blue jay head featuring an integrated red maple leaf, a preference that stayed with him through the decision-making process.
At the press conference, Okamoto spoke in English: “Thank you very much for this opportunity. I am very happy to join Blue Jays. I will work hard every day and do my best for the team. Thank you for your support. Nice to meet you. Go Blue Jays.”
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins praised the addition: “To have this addition… of Kazuma Okamoto is another significant step for this organization. We definitely got better today.” The Blue Jays, who lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in extra innings of Game 7 of last year's World Series, will benefit from Okamoto's power as one of this offseason's top Japanese free agents.
