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About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2024)
January 1, 2024 SPORTS / COMMUNITY THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 15 18-month-old critically endangered Amur tigers arrive at the Oregon Zoo MAGICAL MIDFIELDER. Midfielder Hina Sugita, left, of the Port- land Thorns plays in a National Women’s Soccer League soccer match in Seattle in this June 3, 2023 file photo. Sugita has signed a contract ex- tension through 2026 with the Thorns. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File) Midfielder Hina Sugita to remain with Thorns FC through 2026 Hina Sugita has signed a contract extension with Thorns FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), which will keep the nearly 27-year-old mid- fielder (her birthday is January 31) in Portland through 2026. Sugita originally arrived in Oregon in 2022 through a transfer with Japanese club INAC Kobe Leonessa. During her first season in Portland, Sugita appeared in 21 games, tallied five goals, and gave four assists. In 2023, she scored eight goals and handed out three assists in 27 appearances. Since joining the Thorns, Sugita ranks in the top four amongst all Portland players in duels won (190), tackles won (47), chances created (65), and dribbles completed (43). Additionally, she has kept the best passing accuracy rate (81.95) of all midfielders and forwards for the club over the last two seasons combined. “We are thrilled Hina has chosen to sign a long-term contract in Portland. It demonstrates her commitment to the club and community and solidifies her as part of the Thorns family for years to come,” shared Karina LeBlanc, Thorns FC general manager and president of soccer operations. “Hina’s obviously a special talent and adds a unique flare to our style of play. We are lucky to have a player of her caliber and character on the roster.” “Hina has had a massively positive impact for us in her two years here, not only on the field but also off the field. We are over the moon that she has committed her longer-term future with us,” said Mike Norris, head coach of the Thorns. “She has not only adapted extremely well to our team, she also continues to set new standards for what Continued on page 19 Two Amur tigers — the largest of the nine tiger subspecies — have arrived at the Oregon Zoo. The zoo’s care staff welcomed brothers Luka and Dmitri last month. The 18- month-old big cats are settling into their new Portland home and have been venturing outside to explore. The tiger brothers were born in Minot, North Dakota, in 2022. Though they look very similar, the easiest way to tell them apart is by their distinct markings, according to Amy Hash, who oversees the zoo’s tiger habitat. Dmitri, for example, has a V-shaped stripe over his left eye. “Tiger stripes are unique to each individual, similar to our finger- prints,” said Hash. “We’re so happy to have Luka and Dmitri here,” Hash continued. “They’re curious and playful and seem to be enjoying their new surroundings. Luka is calm and sweet, and Dmitri is a bit feistier.” Amur tigers are at serious risk of extinction, with only around 500 be- lieved to remain in their native range. The Oregon Zoo has been a Tiger Conservation Campaign partner since 2012, supporting efforts to restore tiger populations through re- search, counter-poaching measures, and human-tiger coexistence efforts across their range countries. While the iconic big cats continue to face threats from habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade, some popula- tions are on the rise thanks in part to this partnership, which is led by the Wildlife Conservation Society. Another threat facing the critically endangered cats is lack of genetic variation, so accredited zoos are participating in coordinated breeding programs to help preserve them. Dmitri and Luka came to Portland on a recommendation from the Species TIGER BROTHERS. Amur tiger brothers Luka (top photo) and Dmitri (bottom photo) are seen in their new home at the Oregon Zoo. The 18-month-old brothers were born in Minot, North Dakota, in 2022. According to Amy Hash, who oversees the zoo’s tiger habitat, “Luka is calm and sweet, and Dmitri is a bit feistier.” (Photos/Michael Durham, courtesy of the Oregon Zoo) Survival Plan (SSP) for Amur tigers — a cooperative program among zoos to help create genetically diverse, self-sustaining populations to guarantee the long-term future of the animal species. Though the Oregon Zoo lacks adequate denning space for tigers to raise cubs, it plays a critical role in the SSP by housing tigers not currently recommended for breeding. The Oregon Zoo is located at 4001 S.W. Canyon Road in Portland. To learn more, visit <www.oregonzoo. org>. Dodgers and free-agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto finalize their 12-year deal By Greg Beacham The Associated Press OS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers have finalized their 12-year deal with right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, teaming the prized free agent with Shohei Ohtani in their prolific winter spending spree. The Dodgers didn’t disclose the value of the deal they announced late in December, but several media reports have tagged it at $325 million. That would be the largest and longest contract ever guaranteed to a major league pitcher. The 25-year-old Yamamoto has been Japan’s most dominant pitcher over the past few seasons, and he was coveted by teams across the majors after he elected to leave the Orix Buffaloes this offseason. The big-budget, pitching-poor Dodgers landed him with another mammoth December deal after signing two-way AL MVP Ohtani to a $700-million contract and signing right-hander Tyler Glasnow to a $136.5-million, five-year deal after his acquisition from Tampa Bay. “I’d like to thank everyone in the Orix organization, the Dodger organization, and all the people close to me who have given me so much support throughout this free-agent process,” Yamamoto said in a statement. “I am truly excited to wear Dodger Blue and can’t wait to play in front of a packed Dodger Stadium.” The Dodgers are getting a 5’10” right-hander widely regarded as the world’s best pitcher outside North America — and one with potential to become a major league ace after a stellar start to his career in Japan. Yamamoto has posted spectacular numbers in Japan’s top league in recent years, winning three straight Most Valuable Player awards in the Nippon Pacific League. He went 16-6 with a 1.21 Earned Run Average (ERA) while striking out 169 and walking just 28 this year, winning the Japanese pitching triple crown by leading the league in wins, strikeouts, and ERA. L “You don’t win three MVP awards by the age of 25 without an exceptional combination of talent, work ethic, and mental toughness,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. “He’s an elite pitcher with an impressive dedication to his craft who will only become more dynamic in a Dodger uniform. We are thrilled for him to be a mainstay at the top of our starting rotation for years to come.” Yamamoto’s six-pitch repertoire includes a dependable splitter, an effective four-seam fastball, and a vicious curveball, all thrown with excellent command. He has thrown two no-hitters in the past two years, and he has a 1.72 ERA in his career. Yamamoto is exceptionally good at limiting his opponents’ power, allowing just 36 homers over his seven seasons in Japan — including just two in 164 innings last season. The contracts given out by the Dodgers to Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Glasnow are potentially worth well over $1.1 billion — and Los Angeles also will owe a posting fee around $50 million for signing Yamamoto — but the two Japanese stars generate significant international revenue that will offset the cost of the deals. And Los Angeles is one of the majors’ richest teams under Guggenheim Baseball Management ownership led by Mark Walter. Black Pearl Acupuncture Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine are great for: - Acute/Chronic Pain (i.e. neck, back, sciatica & shoulder) - Treating & Preventing the flu and colds - Stress Relief - Headaches/Migraines www.blackpearlacupuncture.com Sita Symonette Licensed Acupuncturist seasymonettea@gmail.com Call to schedule an appointment: (503) 308-9363 505 N.W. Ninth Ave., Portland, OR 97209 The three players are joining one of the most consistent winners in recent major league history. Los Angeles has had 13 straight winning seasons, made 11 consecutive playoff appearances, and won at least 100 games in five of the past six full major league campaigns, winning three NL pennants and the 2020 World Series title. But the Dodgers were in significant need of pitching after a dismal series of injuries and setbacks for a roster led by returning sluggers Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. Los Angeles still won 100 games in 2023 even though injury-plagued Clayton Kershaw was its only starting pitcher who threw more than 125 innings or posted a qualifying ERA lower than 3.75, but the Dodgers were swept out of the division series by eventual NL champion Arizona. Yamamoto and Glasnow will be immediate additions to the Dodgers’ rotation, while Ohtani is highly unlikely to pitch in 2024 after undergoing a second elbow surgery in the offseason. Kershaw is a free agent who recently had shoulder surgery that he said will likely keep him out of the majors until summer.
