US Media: Japanese Star Oda Shoki May Sign With Dodgers
Listen to the story
Shoki Oda, a young Japanese baseball player, may join the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to American media.
Reports say the possible contract could be worth up to around 780 million yen.
This is a very large amount of money for a player of his age.
US reporters say the move shows that Japanese baseball faces a serious problem.
They believe strong young players may keep leaving Japan for American teams.
Oda has said he admires Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a top Japanese pitcher.
Yamamoto already plays for the Dodgers, which may explain Oda's interest in the team.
Before this report, the Yomiuri Giants used their first draft pick to choose Oda.
However, some reports suggest Oda secretly visited the United States before the draft.
It is said that he met with about ten Major League teams during this trip.
This has made people wonder if Oda really wants to play in Japan.
Meanwhile, the Hanshin Tigers chose a different player, an outfielder, in the draft.
Japanese sports media have been grading each team's draft choices.
The Giants received a score of 65 points for their decision to pick Oda.
The story has caused strong discussion among baseball fans in Japan.
Many people are now watching closely to see what Oda will decide to do next.
Vocabulary7 words
- Dodgers
- a famous baseball team from Los Angeles
- contract
- an agreement about pay and work
- draft pick
- choosing a new player for a sports team
- Major League
- the top level of baseball in the USA
- Yamamoto
- a well-known Japanese pitcher now in the USA
- outfielder
- a player who stands far from home base
- pitcher
- the player who throws the ball in baseball
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Quiz
Answer key
1. He may join the Dodgers 2. He admires Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who plays there 3. True
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Shoki Oda, a young Japanese baseball player, may join the Los Angeles _____, according to American media.
Reports say the possible contract could be worth up to around 780 _____ yen.
US reporters say the move shows that Japanese baseball faces a serious _____.
They believe strong young players may keep leaving Japan for American _____.
Oda has said he admires Yoshinobu _____, a top Japanese pitcher.
Before this report, the Yomiuri Giants used their first draft pick to choose _____.
It is said that he met with about _____ Major League teams during this trip.
Meanwhile, the Hanshin Tigers chose a different player, an _____, in the draft.
The Giants received a score of _____ points for their decision to pick Oda.
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