Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani gestures as he crosses home plate after hitting a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Anthony Molina in the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Denver.
15:24 JST, October 2, 2024
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani was already a superstar with his hitting and pitching during six years with the Los Angeles Angels. Yet Ohtani disappeared every October, with the Angels having a losing record and never making the playoffs.
The arrival of Interstate 5 to the Los Angeles Dodgers seemingly changed everything – for him and the franchise.
“I’m just like the fans,” said All-Star teammate Mookie Betts, “I’m looking forward to seeing Shohei play in the postseason.”
It’s unlikely Ohtani’s two-way talents will reach their full potential as he is still recovering from a second major elbow surgery a year ago. Manager Dave Roberts had raised the possibility of Ohtani helping on the mound, but recently backed down, saying, “I just don’t see it happening.”
Yet the Dodgers’ $700 million man can influence games like no other player. He unveiled another unprecedented two-way skill set this season, creating baseball’s 50-50 club — the first player with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season. He finished with 54 home runs and 59 steals.
He also fell just short of becoming the NL’s first Triple Crown winner since 1937. He led the league in home runs and RBIs (130) and finished second with a .310 batting average to San Diego’s Luis Arráez (. 314). Among his astonishing numbers: a .646 slugging percentage, 134 runs scored, 411 total bases and an OPS over 1.000.
Ohtani helped the Dodgers finish with the best record in the majors (98-64) for the third time in five years and win the National League West title for the eleventh time in twelve years.
“The most important thing about all this is that I was able to play consistently all year long,” he said through an interpreter.
The Dodgers open the postseason in the NL Division Series on Saturday. They achieved home field advantage during the play-offs.
Ohtani was determined to play in October
Ohtani wanted to play meaningful games in October and have a chance to win a World Series. That meant we had to leave Anaheim.
He signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers in December. The structure gives the team more salary flexibility in coming years and allows Ohtani to defer compensation, which could help him pay millions in state taxes if he lives outside California when the deferred money is paid.
His deal includes a luxury suite for home games, where his new wife, Mamiko Tanaka, and their dog, Decoy, have been spotted.
$700 million for an international phenomenon
Ohtani isn’t the only one making money.
His presence brings money to the Dodgers, who have signed a slew of Japanese sponsors this season. Tours of Dodger Stadium attract hordes of Japanese fans wearing No. 17 jerseys and learning about the third-oldest ballpark in the majors from guides who speak their native language.
Tomoko Suto and her sister recently flew from Japan to watch Ohtani at Dodger Stadium for three games. The 62-year-old Tokyo resident said they cut back on airfare and hotel costs to spend more money on good seats and a stadium tour.
“I’m proud of him as a Japanese,” said Suto, wearing an Ohtani T-shirt. “As a boy he just focused on baseball and did a very, very good job. I’m very impressed and that made me want to watch him.”
Major League Baseball and MLB Players Inc. are releasing T-shirts, coins, water bottles, towels, trading cards and other licensed souvenirs commemorating Ohtani’s 50-50 achievement.
His two bobblehead nights caused massive traffic jams around the stadium and left fans queuing for hours before the gates opened to try to snag.
He created significant demand for game tickets on the secondary market, with large price increases compared to before he donned Dodger Blue. The team was already riding well on the road, but Ohtani’s presence had the turnstiles buzzing.
“It’s easy to like him, easy to root for him, fun to watch him,” Roberts said. “It was great on the road, just to see how many people come to see him play, and when he takes his last at-bat, people tend to leave the ballpark. People like to look at greatness. And he will go down as one of the greatest of all time.”
View history in real time
Books about Ohtani’s first season with the Dodgers will be released shortly afterward.
The response to his historic achievements has been overwhelming on social media, while his gaming highlights are among the most popular video clips.
Ohtani even has his own day in Los Angeles – every May 17 during his Dodgers career, as proclaimed by the City Council.
Perhaps unintentionally, there is a mystique surrounding the private Ohtani. He revealed his marriage, but no other details, shortly before the season started, and he only speaks Japanese during tightly controlled media sessions, although Roberts says he speaks better English than he lets on.
Even the stunning betrayal by his longtime interpreter Ippei Mizuhara – accused of stealing $16 million from Ohtani to pay illegal gambling debts – did not appear to publicly upset Ohtani.
“People are amazed at how he has such an impact in our sport and how he remains humble and focused on his work,” Roberts said.
Baseball’s biggest star on its brightest stage
Even if he hasn’t pitched in the MLB postseason, baseball fans have already seen Ohtani perform under championship pressure. He played for Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, hitting .435, walking 10, hitting a home run and stealing bases. He also did it on the mound, striking out 11, including his then-Angels teammate Mike Trout for the final out that gave Japan a 3-2 victory over the American team in the final.
Anyone who sees how Ohtani prepares expects nothing less.
“I’m trying to learn a little bit from him, honestly, just the way he goes about his day-to-day,” Dodgers center fielder Tommy Edman said. “He is very consistent, the same behavior everywhere. I think that’s why he’s such a good player.”
Ohtani is meticulous in his preparation, combining ongoing elbow rehabilitation with studying opposing pitchers, working with hitting coaches and fine-tuning his swing in the batting cage.
“Three, four hours before the match he is already thinking about what he is going to do,” said teammate Teoscar Hernández.
Ohtani’s focus, energy and record-setting performance carried the Dodgers through the 162-game regular season struggle, when the team suffered a slew of injuries yet finished with the best record.
“I think the whole world is looking forward to him in October,” Roberts said.
