Shohei Ohtani, the first “50-50” player in major league history and near-certain National League MVP, made a rare statement in English to the crowd at Dodger Stadium on Friday to celebrate the team’s World Series championship.
Ohtani was introduced by Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who said it was the team’s “big goal” over the winter to sign the “biggest fish of them all.”
After he was practically dragged over to the podium by teammates, the famously shy Japanese two-way superstar did something he’s almost never done in his baseball career — address the fans in English.
“This is [a] special moment for me,” Ohtani said in front of the sold-out Dodger Stadium. “I’m just so honored to be here and to be part of this team. Congratulations Los Angeles. Thank you fans.”
Ohtani signed a record-shattering 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers in the winter. After six years in Anaheim with the L.A. Angels, Ohtani won baseball’s biggest prize in just his first year in blue. Are there nine more titles coming? Only time can tell.