NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
As Czech Ondrej Satoria left the Tokyo Dome mound, he stopped walking back to his dugout and did a full 360-degree turn, looking up at the sold-out stadium that represented him.
While some Czech fans were in the stands watching their team’s final game at the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), the majority of Japanese fans in attendance were on their feet cheering on Satoria, a full-time electrician who has become quite famous in Japan, even though he is on the opposing team.
Satoria pitched 4.2 scoreless innings for Czechia against the stacked Japanese roster that includes Shohei Ohtani, Masataka Oshida and many other stars of the 2023 WBC champions. He allowed six hits and struck out three on 67 pitches – most of which barely topped 80 mph.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Ondrej Satoria of the Czech team greets fans after the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Czechia and Japan at 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 world’s two-way baseball superstar, 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 flying off as he called it embarrassing.
And, while Satoria received all the cheers and ovations in Tokyo, it was also his last international match – he is really focusing on his regular full-time job back 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 before his latest international start.
JUDGE AARON, PAUL SKENES POWER TEAM USA OVER MEXICO, CLOSE UP IN QUARTERFINAL OF WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC
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 regular guy from Ostrava, but here they respect me and make me sign balls. It’s really nice to be back here.”
Satoria’s fame in the country has led to autograph sessions, shaking hands, taking photos and 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 presented by DIP game between the Czech team and the Japanese team at the Tokyo Dome on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan. (Photos Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB)
After Satoria’s exit, the Japanese team returned to their usual production, as they ended up beating the Czech Republic, 9-0, to achieve a perfect score of 4-0 in group play.
But as the two teams acknowledged each other, Satoria received another ovation as he waved to the crowd – a final goodbye on a baseball field that had given him more than he ever dreamed of.
He was understandably emotional, looking around, bowing according to Japanese custom and raising his cap to his teammates, as well as Team Japan, who all 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 little known for baseball is working hard to prove that it can one day be a formidable force.
Ondrej Satoria of Team Czech throws the first inning of the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Czechia and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan. (Toru Hanai/Getty Images)
“I think it’s true, because I became famous here three years ago, and it makes perfect sense for me to finish here on probably — for us — the biggest international stage that we can play on,” Satoria said via MLB.com. “I will definitely enjoy every moment I get to wear our jersey.
