His reaction to the news was: “Lars? That little kid is a major ... he found himself at Tokyo Dome sitting along with Nootbaar’s Japanese mother, Kumiko, and watching her 25-year-old son ...

His mother gave Nootbaar the Japanese name Tatsuji Enokida ... He learned some Japanese words, too. “They loved Lars like he was a mascot for the Japanese national team,” Kumiko said.

With the Cardinals young core set to take center stage in 2025, outfielder Lars Nootbaar feels ready to step into a larger spotlight within clubhouse.