Blue Jays Star Goes Country, Hits .600 With New Walk-Up Song

When Kazuma Okamoto stepped up to bat Friday night, something felt different at Rogers Centre.

Instead of his usual Japanese rock song, the stadium speakers blasted "Choosin' Texas" by country star Ella Langley. The Blue Jays' third baseman from Japan had gone full country, and Toronto fans ate it up.

The song switch came courtesy of teammate Myles Straw, the clubhouse glue guy who loves bringing people together. Straw pitched the idea before the homestand, thinking fans would enjoy the Billboard chart topper that's dominated country radio for 27 weeks.

Okamoto didn't just agree to the change. He embraced it completely.

"He said he actually likes it," Straw said after Saturday's 6-4 win. "So far, he's probably hitting .600 with it."

The numbers back up the superstition. Okamoto has recorded multiple hits in each of his last three games, his best stretch at the plate in over a month.

When reporters asked Okamoto about his new anthem, he broke into a huge grin and pointed down the clubhouse row. "You can ask Myles about it," he said through interpreter Yusuke Oshima, clearly enjoying the moment.

Sunny's Take

This story goes deeper than a simple walk-up song change. When Okamoto arrived at spring training earlier this year, he described himself as "very serious and very manly." He was quiet, focused, adjusting to a new country and the biggest stage in baseball.

Now he's joking with teammates, switching to country music, and watching Straw's interviews with that signature grin. The closed-off rookie has become the fun-loving teammate his Blue Jays family always knew he could be.

"I love to talk with him and interact with him. He's funny," Straw said. "He's got a great personality."

The timing couldn't be better. Most of the Blue Jays roster headed to a Luke Combs concert Saturday night, the clubhouse filled with more cowboy boots and belt buckles than usual. Okamoto fit right in with his new country vibe.

His teammates keep saying there's so much more personality behind closed doors than fans get to see. But week by week, game by game, Okamoto keeps letting more of himself shine through.

From serious Japanese rookie to country-loving Blue Jay who's raking at the plate, Okamoto's transformation shows what happens when you find your people and let yourself have fun.