Yoshinobu Yamamoto, born August 17, 1998, in Bizen, Japan, is a star pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers who previously dominated Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) with the Orix Buffaloes, winning three consecutive Pacific League MVPs, Triple Crowns, and Eiji Sawamura Awards from 2021–2023 while throwing two career no-hitters. In December 2023, he signed a record-breaking 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers—the largest ever for a pitcher at the time—and helped the team win the 2024 World Series, becoming the first player in history to earn a World Series ring, Olympic gold, and a World Baseball Classic title. He earned his first MLB All-Star selection in 2025, then led Los Angeles to a second straight World Series championship over the Toronto Blue Jays, claiming the World Series MVP award and becoming only the second Asian player to do so after Hideki Matsui. Yamamoto was named an All-Star again in 2026, solidifying his elite status in the majors. Internationally, he has collected gold medals at the 2019 Premier12, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and the 2023 World Baseball Classic, showcasing Japan's global pitching dominance. Off the field, his given name combines elements of his parents' names, and he has a sister who works as an English teacher.