Shohei Ohtani made his return to Angel Stadium on Tuesday night, facing off against the Los Angeles Angels as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. This marked the two-way superstar’s first regular-season game in Anaheim since leaving the Angels as a free agent last winter after enduring six seasons of losing.
Having become a baseball phenomenon while playing for a struggling Angels team, Ohtani has now joined one of the best teams in Major League Baseball. As the Angels continue to flounder through another disappointing season, Ohtani is poised to make his postseason debut in just a few weeks.
Before the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remarked on the significance of Ohtani’s return, suggesting it could offer some sense of closure for both Ohtani and the fans. He acknowledged the emotional connection Ohtani had with the Angels’ supporters and expressed enthusiasm for Ohtani to now be a part of a championship-contending team.
In this matchup, exactly one year after his last game with the Angels, Ohtani took his place as the Dodgers’ leadoff hitter and designated hitter. The Angels recognized his contributions with a video tribute highlighting his many achievements, including two AL MVP awards, as he stepped up to bat.
Ohtani received a warm reception from the crowd, largely composed of fans wearing Dodger Blue. He faced a shaky start, grounding out in his first at-bat but quickly rebounded with a triple in the third inning that drove in his 99th run of the season. He subsequently scored on Mookie Betts’ single, putting the Dodgers ahead.
Since joining the Dodgers, Ohtani has lived up to expectations, leading the National League with 44 home runs and boasting impressive statistics comparable to his last season in Anaheim. The contrast between his new team and the Angels is stark—while the Dodgers have a pedigree of success, the Angels are heading toward their ninth consecutive losing season and have not reached the playoffs in a decade.
Roberts noted that Ohtani has effortlessly transitioned both personally and professionally to life in Los Angeles, remarking on how the event of his return has been anticipated by fans.
Angel’s first-year manager Ron Washington also expressed his respect for Ohtani, viewing his presence in the game as a special opportunity for both fans and players alike. Washington hopes to contain Ohtani’s talent rather than let it shine uncontested on the field.