In Ohtani's Dodger blue hometown, a shrine to his baseball talent, and humanity

Hironobu Kanno, the owner of a hair salon in Oshu, has filled his shop with Dodgers memorabilia not out of fandom for the team but because of his admiration for Shohei Ohtani, the city's superstar. His dedication even extends to dressing all his employees in Dodgers jerseys during the World Series, making it clear that Ohtani's success unites the town rather than the team itself. Kanno humorously stated he would switch loyalties to the Yankees if Ohtani played for them.

Kanno's establishment, mostly known as a hair salon, resembles more of a museum dedicated to the achievements of Ohtani. He has invested around $100,000 over the past 11 years to acquire an extensive collection of Ohtani memorabilia, including signed baseballs and life-sized cutouts. This investment not only reflects his admiration for Ohtani but also serves as a rallying point for the community to express their support for their hometown hero.

Read at Los Angeles Times