TOKYO – The World Series trophy is headed to Los Angeles, but the party extends to Japan.

People crowded local train stations in Tokyo on Thursday morning as newspaper inserts were ready to print declaring Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, along with their Dodgers teammates, world champions after a thrilling Game 5 victory over the New York Yankees.

“I would like to thank my Japanese fans for coming all the way to cheer me on this season,” Ohtani said on Japanese television. “That celebration gave me some energy, so I’m glad I was able to return the thanks with a win.”

Distributing newspapers is a tradition in Tokyo when Japan celebrates a major event. And that’s a huge problem for a country whose players were once considered too small or just good throwers. They are now very proud that their players are among the best in the game.

Japan beat the United States in the final of the World Baseball Classic in Miami last year, another sign of the country’s prowess in the American pastime.

It was also a victory for Ohtani’s hometown in northern Japan – Oshu City – where fans gathered all week hoping their superstar hero would help take the title.