A unique initiative is underway in Japan as 12 active Japanese MLB players, including Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and Chicago Cubs slugger Seiya Suzuki, will be honored with custom manhole covers starting June 16. The installations will take place at locations linked to each player's baseball roots.

Among the honorees is St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar, who represented Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Nootbaar, who has Japanese heritage, will have his cover unveiled on June 23 in Higashimatsuyama City, Saitama Prefecture. Despite a strong start to the season, Nootbaar has struggled recently, hitting just .128 in June with 15 strikeouts.