Shohei Ohtani is one step closer to fulfilling his childhood dream of playing in big games. There’s nothing bigger than the major league baseball playoffs.
And the great Japanese star is not nervous.
“I think the excitement about this is greater than anything I could possibly feel,” he said Friday through an interpreter.
Ohtani gets his first chance to make the playoffs with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who open their National League Division Series Saturday against the West Division rival San Diego Padres.
The Japanese spent the last six years with the Los Angeles Angels, who never played above .500 or made the playoffs during that time.
Fans on both sides of the Pacific are eager to see what the 30-year-old will be able to accomplish in October.
“I think it’s more us as fans seeing this as something new for him,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. If there’s anyone I think will be able to handle this, it’s definitely Shohei.”
Ohtani has proven this season that he can change a game with his stick or his speed. If he gets a walk, he can steal a base (he totaled 59 in the regular season). And he can also hit home runs (54) or cross home plate from first base.
“He’s shown the ability over the last month to use the whole field, to get a hit if he needs to,” Roberts said. He’s an incredibly talented baseball player.”
Ohtani prepared for this best-of-five series by hitting in a few simulated games during the Dodgers’ five days off — their reward for having the best record in major league baseball (98-64).
“I do my best to make sure my first at-bat is really good,” he admitted. This week we took the time to make sure we took care of our bodies and I think we were able to eliminate some issues.”
Ohtani signed a record US$700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers in December. He did not pitch this season after undergoing a second elbow surgery a year ago. This allowed him to focus on his offense, becoming the first player in history to have 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season.
At the start of the campaign, Ohtani admitted that his strong desire to fit in with his new team took a toll on his at-bats.
“Overall, the second half of the regular season was pretty good,” he analyzed. I just focus on those good feelings I get when I play well. And the plan is to make sure I have those feelings going into the playoffs.”