Tommy Edman. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Pair of Cardinals share a special day in baseball history

By Michael Carpenter | Last updated 3/7/23

History was made on Sunday night when St. Louis Cardinal teammates Tommy Edman and Lars Nootbaar became the first non-citizens to play for their respective countries in international play.

Edman made his debut for the Korean national team and Nootbaar for the Japanese national team.

Edman, who gets his Korean heritage from his mother, is one of only two MLB players on the roster for Korea in the World Baseball Classic. The other is San Diego Padres second baseman, Ha-Seong Kim.

They will together form one of the best double-play duos in the tournament, with Edman being a finalist for a Gold Glove at second base this past season and with Kim earning that same honor for the shortstop position.

Baseball history.

Tommy Edman’s first plate appearance for Korea. He becomes the first Korean-American, and first non-citizen, to play for the Korean national team. pic.twitter.com/KLlInNqB00
— Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradling) March 6, 2023

Much like Edman, Nootbaar gets his Japanese heritage from his mother's side.

A spark plug for the Cardinals in the second half of the 2022 season, He has become an instant fan favorite in St. Louis, despite his short time with the team.

Baseball history.

Lars Nootbaar’s first plate appearance for Samurai Japan. He becomes the first player born outside of Japan to play for the Japanese national team.

And he got a hit. pic.twitter.com/pOmKauHsW5
— Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradling) March 6, 2023

Known for his pepper grinder celebration, Nootbaar has wasted no time getting Shohei Ohtani to do it after hitting a home run in their exhibition game Sunday.

Ohtani goes full pepper grinder. #Noot #TeamJapan #WBC pic.twitter.com/4n32y7ZelF
— Jim Hayes (@TheCatOnBallyTV) March 6, 2023

With spring training underway, being able to get more live game action that will be in a competitive setting should only help them be more prepared for the long season ahead.

Nootbaar finds himself in an open battle in the Cardinals outfield, with Tyler O'Neill, Dylan Carlson and rising prospect Jordan Walker.

While Edman is penciled in as the starting shortstop, he will be looking to hone his skills as they transition into the MLB season after the tournament.

This is just the first of many special moments for both of these players ahead, and they will face off against each other on March 10 in pool play.

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