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When Ondrej Satoria of the Czech Republic walked off the mound at the Tokyo Dome, he stopped walking back to his dugout and did a complete 360-degree turn, looking toward the sold-out stadium that awaited him.
While some Czech fans were in the stands watching their team’s final 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) game, most of the Japanese fans present were on their feet cheering on Satoria, a full-time electrician who has become quite famous in Japan, even if he is on the opposing team.
Satoria pitched 4.2 scoreless innings for Czechia against the Japanese roster that included Shohei Ohtani, Masataka Oshida and many other stars from the 2023 WBC champions. He allowed six hits and struck out three on 67 pitches, most of which barely went over 80 mph.
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Ondrej Satoria of the Czech team greets fans after the 2026 World Baseball Classic Group C game between Czechia and Japan at the Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan. (Gene Wang – Media Capture)
But Satoria quickly became a fan favorite in 2023, when he struck out Ohtani, the global superstar of two-way baseball, and earned Japan’s respect for his performance. Ohtani even referred to Satoria as “The Worker”, ignoring the fact that some could see his helmet fly off as he struck out, embarrassingly.
And, while Satoria was receiving all the applause and cheers in Tokyo, it was also his last international match – he is really focused on his regular full-time job at home.
“I was really looking forward to it because finishing my national career in a match against the best national team in the world is always special, and especially here at the Tokyo Dome,” he said when asked about his emotions ahead of his final international start.
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He also told MLB.com: “It’s like a reward for my whole life playing baseball because no one knows me in Czechia. I’m just a normal guy from Ostrava, but here they respect me and make me sign balls. It’s really nice to be back here.”
Satoria’s stardom in the country has made autograph sessions, handshakes, photographs and just walking around much longer than usual because he is recognized.
Ondej Satoria of the Czech team waves to the crowd as he leaves the field after the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game presented by dunking between Team Czech Republic and Team Japan at the Tokyo Dome on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Photos)
After Satoria exited the game, Japan’s lineup returned to its usual production, as they ended up beating Czechia, 9-0, to go a perfect 4-0 in pool play.
But when both teams greeted each other, Satoria received another ovation as he waved to the crowd – a final goodbye on a baseball diamond that had given him more than he had ever dreamed of.
He was understandably excited, looking around, bowing Japanese-style and greeting his teammates, as well as Team Japan, who stood and honored someone who will go down in WBC history, even if he didn’t win it all.
Satoria will return home to Ostrava, where he works as an electrical controller for the ČEZ Group. But he and the rest of his Czech teammates have made a statement in the last two tournaments: A country not known for baseball is working hard to prove that they can one day be a formidable force.
Ondrej Satoria of team Czechia pitches in the first inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Group C game between Czechia and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan. (Toru Hanai/Getty Images)
“I think it’s right, because I became famous here three years ago, and to me it makes a lot of sense to end this here, probably, for us, the biggest international stage where we can play,” Satoria said, via MLB.com. “I will definitely enjoy every moment I get to wear our jersey.
