![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lTz2Xtfxcbg/maxres2.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEoCIAKENAF8quKqQMcGADwAQH4AbYIgAKAD4oCDAgAEAEYTyBlKFEwDw==&rs=AOn4CLAKlpdYOMTtiiBqmWkxVG7roucadQ)
THE PASSION OF THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC! Japan's Lars Nootbaar is FIRED UP!
![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3943,h_2217,x_0,y_100/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/33/01gv1t8z63y6vkwy65eb.jpg)
St. Louis Cardinals' pepper grinder celebration goes viral in Japan
![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/U3OMPPE6SRDTDO4GPEBXECEHDI.jpg)
Lars Nootbaar brings 'grind-it-out spirit' to Japan and WBC
![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://fanbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/Shohei-Ohtani-Randy-Arozarena.png)
Major League Baseball Can Learn from the World Baseball Classic
![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://media.ksdk.com/assets/KSDK/images/e72b5ee1-b2f4-45b6-a613-acc219c644f7/e72b5ee1-b2f4-45b6-a613-acc219c644f7_1140x641.jpg)
Cardinals Lars Nootbaar talks WBC, pepper grinders
![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/uploads/imported_images/uploads/2023/03/np_file_215731.jpeg)
Japanese fans earn share of spotlight at World Baseball Classic - The Japan Times
![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://www.taipeitimes.com/images/2023/03/18/p07-230318-321.jpg)
Japan fans pepper Lars Nootbaar with love - Taipei Times
![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://afpbb.ismcdn.jp/mwimgs/c/0/1000x/img_c04421536f41e54f0968efb035512cab174443.jpg)
Japan fans pepper US-born Nootbaar with love at World Baseball Classic 写真6枚 国際ニュース:AFPBB News
![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://www.ozarksfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/65/2023/03/0308-nootbaar-team-japan-.jpg?strip=1)
Nootbaar playing in WBC for mom, Japan
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How does Cardinals Lars Nootbaar build on breakout '22? He could start with Team Japan
![How Lars Nootbaar -- and his celebration -- became a sensation for Japan in 2023 World Baseball Classic](https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/bostonglobe/D7H3ASQMBCVNJGRF2JESZVVQCM.jpg)
There's a world of interest in this year's World Baseball Classic - The Boston Globe