From Lighting Engineer to Lucky Charm: Yamamoto’s Translator Finds World Series Fortune in His Underwear
A former lighting technician, now serving as the interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, will carry a unique form of good luck into Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday: a pair of rabbit-themed boxer briefs.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s unlikely interpreter, Yoshihiro Sonoda, almost walked away from the job after just two days. Now, as the Dodgers face the Toronto Blue Jays, Sonoda’s fate – and perhaps Yamamoto’s success – may hinge on a carefully curated collection of lucky underwear.
The story began with a curious question in the Dodger Stadium hot tub. Yamamoto, noticing Sonoda preparing for a shower, inquired about the vibrant design on his boxer briefs. “What colors are these?” Yamamoto asked, prompting a shy explanation from Sonoda: “This is my calamus.” The image – a rabbit unleashing rainbow-colored lasers from its eyes – sparked a now-famous anecdote and a burgeoning superstition.
Weeks later, those same boxer briefs were accompanying Sonoda to Yamamoto’s meetings. The tradition continued, and as the Dodgers advanced, Sonoda found himself relying on the lucky underwear beneath his sweatpants. The origin of this unusual ritual, however, stems from a period of intense self-doubt early in his tenure.
Sonoda’s journey to the Dodgers dugout was anything but conventional. A former collegiate judoka, he spent two decades as a lighting engineer, with credits including work on “Men in Black” and “The Hearth.” He possessed no prior translation experience and admitted to being far from a baseball expert. Separated from his wife, who resides in Texas, Sonoda confessed to travel secretary Scott Akasaki that he felt overwhelmed. “I don’t want to give up, but I can’t do this,” he reportedly said.
Akasaki, himself a veteran of interpreting for MLB star Hideo Nomo, urged Sonoda to reconsider. “You can learn about baseball by studying baseball,” Akasaki advised, “But Yoshinobu chose you for a reason that no one else did.” That encouragement proved pivotal. Sonoda received mentorship from assistant pitching coach Connor McGuinness and director of performance science Tyler Duncan, who helped him decipher the complex data surrounding pitch tracking. He also sought guidance from experienced interpreters like Shingo Horie of the San Diego Padres and Hiroshi Fujiwara of the New York Mets.
Yamamoto himself acknowledged Sonoda’s challenges. “We’re all rookies this year,” Yamamoto stated during World Series media day. “Especially Mr. Sonoda, he comes from a different industry, and I think he has experienced a lot of difficulties. But he didn’t let this happen.” Sonoda was visibly moved, holding back tears as Yamamoto spoke.
Sonoda’s dedication extends beyond simply translating words. He meticulously records every pitch Yamamoto throws in a small notebook. During a recent game in Baltimore, his intense focus was palpable as Yamamoto pursued a no-hitter. With two outs in the ninth inning, Sonoda found himself flanked by Shohei Ohtani and head coach Yosuke Nakajima, momentarily frozen as a potential historic moment unfolded. A subsequent home run dashed those hopes, and Sonoda, consumed by self-blame, wondered if more detailed notes on the opposing batter might have altered the outcome. “If I had taken notes on that bat…” he lamented.
Yamamoto recognizes Sonoda’s unwavering commitment. “I could feel his shadow effort,” Yamamoto said. “He’s a very pure, simple person. I think he’s really great.” Manager Dave Roberts echoed this sentiment, stating that Yamamoto displayed “the utmost respect for everyone from Hiro to myself and all the support staff.”
The underwear tradition began last year when Sonoda’s wife, aware of his love for the outdoors, gifted him a set of national park-themed boxer briefs. The Yellowstone pair, featuring a roaring bear, resonated with Sonoda, reminding him of Yamamoto’s intensity on the mound. He began wearing different pairs on game days, retiring those worn during losses. A lack of available pairs prompted him to hold onto a particularly lucky set from last year’s World Series run.
Sonoda, reflecting on his unique position, expressed gratitude. “I think there are 14 or 15 Japanese translators in the major leagues,” he said. “I feel like I’m the luckiest.” He credits Akasaki for his initial encouragement, McGuinness and Duncan for his baseball education, and Horie and Fujiwara for their mentorship. But above all, he feels fortunate to be working alongside a player he deeply respects. And if a little extra luck can be found in a pair of brightly colored boxer briefs, he’s more than willing to embrace the superstition.
