Shohei Ohtani is on the verge of fulfilling a childhood dream by participating in the Major League Baseball (MLB) postseason, and there’s nothing more important to him than this moment. However, the Japanese superstar isn’t feeling nervous at all.
In an interview, Ohtani conveyed through an interpreter, “I believe the excitement I feel is stronger than anything else I’ve experienced.”
This marks Ohtani’s first opportunity to compete in the MLB postseason. The National League Division Series is set to begin tomorrow, with the Los Angeles Dodgers hosting the San Diego Padres.
For the past six years, Ohtani played for the Los Angeles Angels, a tenure during which the team never finished above .500 or made it to the playoffs.
Last year, Ohtani made headlines during the World Baseball Classic by striking out his then-teammate Mike Trout, helping Japan secure a championship victory over the U.S. Before arriving in the MLB, Ohtani was a two-way star in Japan.
Now, fans on both sides of the Pacific are eagerly anticipating what astounding feats this record-breaking superstar will achieve during the postseason.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remarked, “Everything about this is fresh for him, and I think we’re lucky as fans to witness this moment. If you ask me who can handle this situation, I’d say it’s definitely Ohtani.”
Ohtani has proven he can change the momentum of a game with both his hitting and speedy base running. If he gets on base via a walk, he has the ability to steal bases (Ohtani successfully stole 59 bases this season); he’s also capable of hitting home runs (with 54 this season) or sprinting home from first base.
Roberts added, “Last month, he showcased his ability to use the entire field and hit whenever needed. He truly is an extraordinary talent.”
During the Dodgers’ five-day break, Ohtani participated in simulated games to prepare for the best-of-five National League Division Series. The Dodgers boasted an impressive regular season record of 98 wins and 64 losses, allowing them some much-needed rest.
Ohtani stated, “I will do everything I can to ensure I perform well in my first at-bat. We’ve taken some time this week to care for our bodies, which have accumulated fatigue over the season, and I think we can address some cramping issues.”
He acknowledged that his intense desire to fit into his new team at the beginning of the season affected his hitting performance.
However, he also reflected, “Overall, looking back, I still had a pretty solid performance in the latter half of the regular season.”
