Shohei Ohtani sat at a small table, waiting.
Across the center field plaza at Dodger Stadium, a crowd of media members listened for the cue. When it came, they rushed over, ignoring security’s requests to walk, all trying to be the first to reach Ohtani.
Without any shouting, it felt like the Beatles performing at Dodger Stadium in 1966. “That’s what I do whenever he shows up in the clubhouse,” joked Dodgers reliever Brent Honeywell.
The excitement on Thursday was probably just the beginning as the Dodgers and New York Yankees got ready for the World Series opener on Friday night.
“It just feels like it has finally arrived,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. He might have been referring to himself.
“I have been watching the World Series every year and feeling disappointed because I couldn’t play in one,” Ohtani explained, talking about his six losing seasons with the Los Angeles Angels before joining the Dodgers on a $700 million contract last offseason. “But this year, I’m able to participate in one and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Ohtanimania has arrived at the Fall Classic. Known for his amazing skills as both a pitcher and hitter, Ohtani hasn’t pitched this season while he recovers from right elbow surgery. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed on Thursday that there’s no chance Ohtani will pitch against New York.
“There is no possibility, none whatsoever,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “Thank you for asking.” But everyone is still focused on him, which is nothing new for the 30-year-old international star.
Ohtani seemed calm despite the pushing and the crowd of cameras and microphones aimed at him. He rested his arms on the table, fingers intertwined, with a slight smile on his youthful face.
“The guy never wavers,” said Honeywell, who was wearing a T-shirt celebrating Ohtani’s impressive achievement of 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season. “He is as advertised.”
Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus managed Ohtani and the Angels in 2019. That year, Ohtani had a shortened season because he was recovering from Tommy John surgery at the beginning and had knee surgery later on.
“It wouldn’t shock me if he went 60-60 and 20 wins a year from now,” Ausmus said. “This guy is the greatest baseball player ever, and there’s not a close second.”
This postseason, Ohtani has three home runs and no stolen bases, after hitting 54 homers and stealing 59 bases during the regular season. He’s batting .286 with 10 RBIs and is 6 for 9 with runners in scoring position.
“He is like a unicorn,” Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. said. “But we got one of our own.”
That refers to slugger Aaron Judge. He and Ohtani—baseball’s top two home run hitters—shared compliments when they couldn’t hear each other.
When Ohtani learned that Judge called him the best player in baseball, he said, “I’m honored that that’s how he thinks of me. He’s also one of the top players in this league.”
Judge commented, “He can attack you in so many different ways. He can hit for power, for average, it’s a tough battle.”
Yankees outfielder Juan Soto is especially impressed by Ohtani’s steady performance.
“He doesn’t take off and then come down,” he said. “He’s been coming up all the way, little by little, and makes his goals. He works every day and is focused on what he wants.”
Ohtani’s home country of Japan has been watching the playoffs in record numbers to see him and his $325 million rookie teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Ohtani will have his own cheering section at the games. His parents are expected to be at the World Series. He didn’t mention his new wife, Mamiko, who has been hard to spot during the playoffs.
What about his dog, Decoy?
“If he’s in good shape, yes he will,” Ohtani said about the dog that has become popular because of his cleats and bobblehead this season. Decoy even threw out a first pitch with Ohtani’s help.
After nearly 20 minutes of answering questions in English, Ohtani switched to questions in Japanese. In any language, he has the same goal.
“The greatest moment that I’m hoping for is for us to be able to celebrate with a World Series win,” he said.
