Shohei Ohtani a Dodger

Shohei Ohtani Greets LA Media in Dodger Blue

By David A. Avila

LOS ANGELES-Maybe one other team truly had a chance to sign Shohei Ohtani. Maybe.

Dressed in Dodger Blue, Japan’s Ohtani greeted hundreds of reporters from around the world at Dodger Stadium on Thursday afternoon. Flanked by the Los Angeles Dodgers ownership and brain trust the American League Most Valuable Player mentioned several reasons to be in Dodger Blue.

Only one spelled the main reason:

“Winning a World Series,” said Ohtani to the large throng gathered. “Making sure we go to the post season and a World Series after that.”

The AL MVP explained that when he met with Dodger brass and they explained winning 10 consecutive playoff spots but not winning a World Series was considered a failure, that was exactly the type of team he wanted to join.

And once Ohtani signed, he immediately looked to help the Dodgers even more by deferring $680 million, a large part of his 10-year $700 million contract, to open up room to sign other free agents.

“I figured if I could defer as much as I can that’s going to help,” Ohtani said. “I do prioritize winning, that’s on the top of my list. That’s a reason I chose this team.”

Let’s just vote him the NL MVP before he even plays a game.

How many players in history have done that for their new team?

“This is something Shohei came to the Dodgers to allow talent around him,” Dodger manager Dave Roberts said.

Expect Dodger Stadium to surpass their own attendance records. Every year they lead Major League Baseball in fan attendance. Tickets will be scarcer than ever.

“When I was playing with the Angels and the Dodgers came to town, half the stadium was dressed in blue,” recalled Ohtani about the Dodger fans. “They are very, very, passionate.”

On the field Ohtani will only be able to hit and run. Because of the Tommy John surgery performed this past September he will not be able to pitch in 2024. But as Dodger manager Roberts explained the team expects to compete despite the loss of talented pitchers Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May for all of next year.

“We have so much depth,” said Dodger manager Roberts.  

The addition of Ohtani adds the American League’s top hitter in 2023 and two-time MVP by unanimous vote. The Japanese slugger lead AL hitters in all the major categories including OPS, home runs and several other factors. He accomplished this despite  missing most of September.

Imagine Ohtani in the middle of the Dodger lineup that includes three other All Star hitters such Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith. It’s one of the most potent lineups in all of baseball and definitely in the National League

Other reasons Ohtani signed with the Dodgers include the history of the team breaking new ground. The franchise signed the first Black player in Jackie Robinson, the first Mexican born star in Fernando Valenzuela, the first Japanese star in Hideo Nomo. Los Angeles is also home to the largest Japanese population outside of Japan.

Ohtani currently lives in Newport Beach, California and does not need to move his residence. He mentioned that he watched the wild rumors about his possibly flying to Toronto while sitting on his couch.

It must have made him chuckle at stories about him signing with the Blue Jays.

Ohtani said becoming a member of the powerful Dodger team that has made the playoffs for an entire decade was a tantalizing lure. The Japanese star who many consider the greatest baseball player ever seen, wants to win World Series championships. That’s his goal.

“I want people when they look back at the championships, I want people to know I was a core member and a big part of that championship,” Ohtani said. “At the end of the day I had to make one choice and the Dodgers were my choice.”

Two more months until spring training begins.