Kim Kardashian, the famous American celebrity and model, has stirred up a storm on social media after revealing a limited edition jersey of MLB star Shohei Ohtani on her Instagram story. The post, which has captivated her massive following, includes a collaboration between famed artist Takashi Murakami and Major League Baseball (MLB).
On March 20, 2025, the MLB official account shared the news of Kardashian's jersey reveal on their X platform, highlighting that it's part of an exclusive collection featuring designs by Murakami. The buzz around this collaboration is palpable, especially given that Kardashian boasts over 3.5 billion followers. Social media users are abuzz with reactions to her post, with comments ranging from "Ohtani has finally been recognized by the boss of Los Angeles," to the astonished revelation that Kardashian owns one of only 26 special jerseys, specifically jersey number 3 out of 26. This revelation drew attention given that even Murakami himself owns jersey number 9 out of 26.
Kardashian, who gained fame from the reality series "Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” is no stranger to the spotlight. Her life – from being a model to an entrepreneur in cosmetics and beyond – has continually placed her in the public eye, further amplified by her ties to rapper Kanye West.
The MLB Tokyo Series has also recently made headlines, featuring the reigning World Series champion, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the storied Chicago Cubs. The series included pre-season games against the Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers on March 15 and 16, respectively. The opening game on March 18 was particularly remarkable, with Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto facing off against the Cubs' Shota Imanaga, which the Dodgers won decisively at 4-1. The following day saw another impressive performance from the Dodgers, marked by Ohtani's invaluable contribution with a home run, leading to a 6-3 victory over the Cubs.
In another intriguing event, a candid photo featuring Ohtani alongside Yamamoto and fellow MLB pitcher Roki Sasaki has garnered attention for an unexpected reason. This photo was posted by the MLB's official video account, "Cut4," and sparked a humorous discussion on social media regarding Yamamoto's apparent need to stand on his tiptoes to appear closer in height to his taller teammates. In the photo, the tall Ohtani stands at 193 cm, Sasaki at 192 cm, while Yamamoto measures in at 178 cm. Despite Yamamoto's respectable height, netizens have pointed out the visual inequality in the picture, leading to comments such as, "He's plenty tall!" and "Yamamoto is cute for tiptoeing!"
Fans expressed their surprise over the photo, noting that while Yamamoto is relatively tall, he now appeared smaller next to his towering teammates. As one user humorously remarked, "It's just that both sides are too big." Such interactions showcase the lighthearted camaraderie among the three players.
As the MLB continues to engage fans with these moments of levity and high-stakes games, the excitement surrounding Ohtani, especially with his high-profile endorsement from Kardashian, indicates a growing cultural intersection between sports and celebrity influence. The staggering reach of Kardashian's social media presence undoubtedly propels Ohtani further into the spotlight, solidifying his status not just as an athlete but as a cultural icon.
The synergy between Kardashian and the MLB aligns with the evolving dynamics of sports marketing, where influencer partnerships play a crucial role in shaping consumer perceptions and brand engagements. The crossing of entertainment and sports has never been more pronounced as stars connect with fans through personal moments and shared interests.
This evolving narrative encapsulates a broader trend, where personalities from different spheres come together, influencing how sports figures are viewed and marketed today. As this story unfolds, it will be fascinating to see what further intersections will emerge between sports stars like Ohtani and influential celebrities like Kardashian.
