Los Angeles Dodgers celebrity Shohei Ohtani had an unforgettable season in his first yr of 10 with the franchise. When the Dodgers signed Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million landmark deal, a number of baseball followers doubted the group would even attain the World Collection, not to mention win the title.
The Dodgers’ postseason woes felt like a unending plague, however the arrival of Ohtani signaled change was imminent. However might one participant actually carry a complete lineup?
The reply is sure and no. Whereas Ohtani didn’t do every little thing for the Dodgers in 2024, his presence within the lineup helped propel and encourage different gamers. This was proven in Recreation 3 of the World Collection after Ohtani sustained a shoulder harm the earlier matchup and his availability was in query.
As soon as Ohtani departed from Recreation 2 of the World Collection, a way of uncertainty lingered all through the Dodgers clubhouse because the group ready to fly to the Bronx that very same evening. Nevertheless, Ohtani selected to remain within the lineup for the rest of the Fall Traditional.
“He was very adamant that he was going to play,” supervisor Dave Roberts stated. “I feel there was extra uncertainty in all of our minds, however in his thoughts from day one, from Saturday night, he was going to play.”
Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy additionally spoke on the significance of Ohtani’s presence within the lineup.
“Properly, in the event you hold the perfect participant within the sport within the lineup, that’s often good to your group,” Muncy stated forward of Recreation 3. “Having him in there clearly, it’s an enormous man to have in there. It helps rather a lot. He’s had some large moments for us, and we’re clearly anticipating a pair extra large moments out of him.”
Only a few days later, the Dodgers would develop into World Collection champions in Ohtani’s first season with the group. Simply over a month later, Ohtani mirrored on his outstanding first season in a Dodgers uniform.
“This exceeded my expectations,” Ohtani instructed USA TODAY Sports activities by means of interpreter Matt Hidaka, trying again at his first season with the Dodgers. “Clearly the primary time I made the playoffs. We gained the World Collection. What extra are you able to ask for?”
Ohtani made the postseason for the primary time in his profession, and was part of the final group standing in October. He’s already achieved his biggest purpose in Main League Baseball, and now has 9 extra years so as to add to it.
Photograph Credit score: Brad Penner-Imagn Pictures
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