Shohei Ohtani has returned to the stadium and city where he accomplished nearly everything except winning.
On Tuesday night, the two-way star played his first regular-season game at Angel Stadium as a visitor with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ohtani left the Angels as a free agent last winter after six seasons of losing records, moving from Anaheim to Los Angeles. After becoming a baseball sensation with the struggling Angels, Ohtani is now part of the top team in the majors.
While the Angels finish another poor season, Ohtani is just weeks away from making his MLB postseason debut.
Before that, he will play two games in the visitors’ clubhouse at the stadium where his impressive presence was the highlight of six otherwise difficult years with the Angels.
“I think it’s going to be special for everyone,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before the game.
“For Shohei, it might be a bit of closure, as it was a great time here in Anaheim with the fans. They’ll have a chance to show their appreciation tonight. It will be a nice moment, but I know he’s excited to be a Dodger and to compete for a championship.”
One year to the day after his last game with the Angels, Ohtani was back in his usual role as the Dodgers’ leadoff batter and designated hitter for the start of the Freeway Series in Anaheim.
The Angels did not give Ohtani a major in-game tribute but showed a video highlighting his many achievements, including his two AL MVP awards, when he stepped up as the game’s first batter.
Ohtani, who got more cheers than boos from a crowd where many were wearing Dodger Blue, grounded out to first base in the first inning.
However, he hit a triple down the right-field line in the third inning, which tied the game with his 99th RBI of the season. He scored shortly after on Mookie Betts’ single to give the Dodgers the lead.
Ohtani has lived up to the Dodgers’ expectations since they signed him to the biggest contract in baseball history.
He leads the National League with 44 home runs, has stolen 46 bases, and his offensive numbers are very similar to those from his last season with the Angels.
The big difference now is his new team: Ohtani’s talent is now part of an organization with a long history of winning. The Angels are facing their ninth consecutive losing season and their tenth straight year without making the playoffs, the longest active streaks in the majors.
Roberts mentioned that Ohtani’s transition from being on a team out of the playoff race to a leading role in Los Angeles has been smooth both personally and professionally.
“It’s been pretty seamless, and I say ‘closure’ because I think it’s more for the fans,” Roberts said. “I think Shohei rightfully has moved on.
He does a great job separating real life from work. But I think this moment is something that people are looking forward to. They’ve marked it on their calendars.”
The Angels might end up with their worst record in franchise history this season, but first-year manager Ron Washington is looking forward to Ohtani’s return to the stadium where he was a fan favorite for the last six seasons.
