Bauer a celeb in Japan regardless of sexual assault claims

YOKOHAMA, Japan — Trevor Bauer will pitch his first official sport for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars on Wednesday and, to advertise the beginning, a neighborhood division retailer is to unveil a seven-story poster of the previous Cy Young Award winner on its facade.

Bauer was undesirable this season by Major League Baseball groups – at the least no membership signed him although he was eligible to play – after claims of home violence and sexual assault.

However, he’s a baseball celeb on this well-known port metropolis in Japan, with few questions requested about his previous – and his solutions readily accepted.

Small duplicate posters of the division retailer model dot practice stations round city spelling out “Bauer” in English with the message in Japanese – “He’s here.”

“My face is too big,” Bauer mentioned lately, breaking right into a seldom-seen giggle with reporters. “It’s very cool. It’s very cool. Growing up as a kid you see professional athletes and movie stars on billboards like that; kind of cool for me to be there myself.”

Bauer was launched by the Los Angeles Dodgers this yr after an arbitrator lowered his unprecedented 324-game suspension to 194 video games for violating the home violence and sexual assault coverage of MLB and the gamers’ affiliation.

PHOTOS: Unsigned in main leagues, Bauer will get huge welcome in Japan

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred suspended Bauer in April of final yr after a San Diego lady mentioned he beat and sexually abused her in 2021. Bauer disputed her claims and mentioned that every little thing that occurred between them was consensual.

He was by no means charged with against the law and a California choose discovered the girl’s claims “materially misleading.”

His previous has not adopted him to Japan. Many Japanese know the fundamentals however don’t appear to care. Others argue he wasn’t convicted in a court docket. Some know little in any respect. And for many followers, it’s strictly about baseball.

“The Japanese people know that Trevor Bauer had a domestic violence problem in the United States,” mentioned Fumihiro Fujisawa, the president of Japan’s Association of American Baseball Research. He mentioned signing Bauer got here all the way down to a enterprise take care of either side seeing a “win-win.”

There’s been no signal of ladies’s proper teams focusing on him in Japan, the place problems with gender inequality usually get restricted consideration. The mainstream Japanese media has additionally reported little about Bauer’s troubles again dwelling.

“We need Bauer power,” mentioned Kazuo Maeda, including that Bauer may very well be his final probability to see Yokohama win its first league title in 25 years.

“I’m 75 and I want to see a championship. There’s not much time left for me. We know about the domestic violence (allegations), but no one has proved it,” Maeda added. “A little fake news.”

Bauer has pitched three minor league video games and received his pitch rely as much as 93. His greatest problem is likely to be batting, since Japan’s Central League doesn’t use the DH.

Bauer nonetheless will get termination pay from the Dodgers for this season and is savvy at advertising. He’s throughout social media, and a current posting on his YouTube channel racked up 1.1 million views.

He got here near apologizing in a single YouTube phase however by no means talked about specifics.

“Look, I recognize that I’ve made mistakes,” he mentioned. “I have to live with those. I’ve made plenty of errors of judgement and stupid choices that someone in my position never should have made. And I reacted the wrong way to things said about me in the press and on social media.”

Bauer and the crew have established the “Trevor Bauer Official Fanclub.” Joining is expensive. A ”VIP” membership is 2,200,000 yen, or about $16,200 for the season. A “deluxe” membership is 330,000 yen, or about $2,500.

The perks embrace every little thing from a “special observation seat” to limousine service to the sport. At the decrease finish are an “autographed actual-wear uniform,” an autographed ball, and different ”authentic items.”

“Life is about experiences, and so I want to offer an experience – not just things but an experience they’ll remember and they’ll cherish and that it brings positivity in their life,” Bauer mentioned at a current post-game interview.

Bauer, who’s reported to be paid $4 million for the one-year deal, can also be selling his personal merchandise and membership choices. Hundreds of followers have been seen at his minor league preparation video games carrying his No. 96 jersey.

A brand new glove has “sword” written on the facet, a reference to the Samurai sword imitation he usually goes by means of after hanging out a batter. With each arms, he pretends to thrust the imaginary sword into an imaginary sheath on his left hip.

BayStars reliever Yasuaki Yamasaki was vital of a video by which Bauer requested followers to repeat his routine after a strikeout. Yamasaki referred to as it “disrespectful.” However, he later mentioned on social media – in a photograph with Bauer – that his message was misunderstood. But he mentioned he had talked Bauer and made his emotions identified.

Fans have lined up exterior the stadiums for 3 minor league video games – principally males however loads of ladies – to catch a glimpse or an autograph. Sayaka Chiba and Saya Ikeya – 20-year-old ladies – jumped and screamed when Bauer walked throughout a stadium parking zone.

“Bauer is cool,” Sayaka mentioned, instantly imitating Bauer’s sword routine. Asked in regards to the home violence costs within the United States, she added, “I see him as a baseball player. But, yes, what happened does matters a little bit to me.”

Sean Atkinson, retired from the United States Navy and a fan who attended about 50 Yokohama video games final season, summed up Bauer’s attraction.

“The Japanese are going crazy for Bauer,” Atkinson mentioned. “All you have to say is: Cy Young winner.”

Brian Rioux, a retired United States Marine, mentioned he has a 20-year-old daughter and, although he’s a Yokohama fan who went to greater than 70 video games final yr, he’s torn.

“I have mixed feelings,” he mentioned at a current minor league sport close to Yokosuka, the house of the United States Seventh Fleet. “Of course with something like this, I would take my daughter’s side. I don’t know how I’d react.”