The article details the efforts of Japanese reporters, including Taro Abe, to track down fans who catch Shohei Ohtani's home-run balls during games at Dodger Stadium. With Ohtani's popularity in Japan skyrocketing, especially given his two-way player status, these reporters have developed a strategy to interview fans for insights that appeal to their audience. This practice, born out of the need for content when Ohtani only spoke post-pitching games, showcases the cultural significance of his achievements and the lengths reporters will go to satisfy the demand for stories surrounding him.
"The appetite for Ohtani content was insatiable in Japan, but the two-way player started speaking to reporters only after games in which he pitched."
"They started interviewing the fans who caught his home-run balls, and the feature was received well by their readers, gradually spreading to other publications."
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