GQ Japan names St. Louis Cardinals’ Lars Nootbaar ‘Man of the Year’
Anyone attending a St. Louis Cardinals game at Busch Stadium quickly realizes outfielder Lars Nootbaar is a fan-favorite by the enormous “Nooooot” eruptions thousands of fans vocalize to celebrate a great catch, a big hit or simply just being announced to the plate or in the starting lineup just before the game starts.
But next to being a fan-favorite (and an expected pivotal piece of the 2024 roster), Nootbaar found himself becoming an international superstar on the baseball field after playing for, and pretty much starring for Japan, in the 2023 World Baseball Classic — who ultimately went on to win the 2023 title.
Now he can add “Man of the Year” to his resume. The St. Louis slugger was named GQ Japan’s breakthrough baseball player
Don’t let his name fool you. While Nootbaar’s name has a European sound — his father is American with Dutch, English and German heritage, according to the Sporting News — his mother is Japanese, born and raised in Japan. The Cardinals’ No. 21 jersey wearer was born and raised in California and his full name is Lars Taylor-Tatsuji Nootbaar.
“I’m humbled and honored to receive such an award, and to be named with so many great athletes and people and influences around the world,” Nootbaar said in a video posted to social media.
