LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani expressed that there’s one particularly unwelcome chant he doesn’t want to hear — “We don’t need you!” from his own family. This remark came just a day before Game 3 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium, where he reflected on the reception he received from Toronto fans. Those fans are still lamenting his decision to sign with the Dodgers in December 2023 instead of staying with their team.
Ohtani, a two-way superstar, smiled as he acknowledged the chant directed at him during the Blue Jays’ opening win. He jokingly mentioned that his wife appreciated the lively reception. As the Dodgers prepare for a tense Game 3, they are currently tied with the Blue Jays in the best-of-seven series, with both teams having won a game each.
In his postseason performance, Ohtani boasts a batting average of .224 over 12 games, hitting six home runs and driving in 11 runs. He has also shown his prowess on the mound, with a 2-0 record and a 2.25 ERA in two starts, striking out 19 batters over 12 innings.
“I do feel better at the plate recently,” Ohtani remarked, emphasizing his commitment to preparation and maintaining a positive mentality. He also credited his opponents for their strong performance. Looking ahead to his matchup against Shane Bieber in Game 4, Ohtani holds the potential to become the first pitcher to hit a home run in the World Series in 17 years, a feat that would further highlight his exceptional two-way talent.
Ohtani encourages young athletes to pursue both batting and pitching as long as they can, stating that he himself was inspired by Japanese baseball icons Hideki Matsui and Ichiro Suzuki during his youth. He acknowledged the limited access to televised games in Japan, which made these players all the more influential in his development.
Throughout his career, Ohtani has drawn comparisons to Babe Ruth, who never maintained a simultaneous role as a full-time pitcher and position player. Ruth’s impressive World Series legacy includes a 0.87 ERA and pioneering moments for pitching and batting, though he was not an everyday player’s dual role.
Entering the Series, Ohtani had impressed with a stellar performance against Milwaukee in Game 4 of the NL Championship Series, where he hit three home runs and pitched six shutout innings, causing Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred to label it “probably the greatest game of all time.”
Fellow pitcher Tyler Glasnow described Ohtani as a “super human,” underscoring the excitement surrounding his unique skill set. Looking ahead, Ohtani faces a challenging history against Bieber, with two hits in 16 at-bats, but with his record and reputation, fans eagerly anticipate what he may contribute to the ongoing World Series. As the competition heats up, the sports community looks forward to witnessing Ohtani’s continued excellence on baseball’s biggest stage.