The Los Angeles Dodgers have been well-represented in MLB All-Star Game history, but never before had they had someone as unique and talented as Shohei Ohtani.
The two-way superstar joined the Dodgers on a historic deal this past offseason after six years with the Los Angeles Angels, and he has quickly settled into his new home.
Ohtani was among the six Dodgers players selected to the All-Star team, along with Teoscar Hernández, Mookie Betts, Tyler Glasnow, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith. But he was one of just two of them to start, joining Hernández in the National League’s starting lineup.
In the third inning, Ohtani came up with two runners on base in a tie game, and he promptly blasted a three-run homer to put the NL up 3-0. The homer traveled 400 feet with an exit velocity of 103.7 mph.
His home run made him the first Dodgers player to hit a long ball in the Midsummer Classic since Mike Piazza did so in 1996. He also became the second Japanese-born player to homer in an MLB All-Star Game, joining Ichiro Suzuki who hit an inside-the-park home run in the 2007 All-Star Game.
In addition, Ohtani opened the game with a walk, but he ended up being stranded on third. He finished his day 1-for-2 with one run scored, three RBI, one walk and one strikeout.
Ohtani ultimately fells short of winning MVP honors for the game due to the NL losing 5-3, but he had arguably the best performance of any player in the game. According to OptaStats, Ohtani is the only player in MLB history to have all of his team’s RBI and walks in an All-Star Game.
The NL All-Stars tonight:
Shohei Ohtani: 3 RBI, 1 BB
Everyone else: 0 RBI, 0 BBHe's the only player in MLB history to have all of his team's RBI and all of his team's walks in an All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/1KSRMnUBgs
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) July 17, 2024
Ohtani also became the first designated hitter to start an All-Star Game in four consecutive years.
In addition, Ohtani became the only player in MLB history to earn a win on the mound and hit a home run at the plate in his All-Star Game career.
Ohtani earned the win during the 2021 All-Star Game while representing the Angels. He pitched one inning as the starter in that game, facing three batters without allowing anyone to reach base.
It would not be surprising to see Ohtani back on a mound in the All-Star Game next year once he completes his rehab process due to a second elbow surgery he underwent last year.
Perhaps he could end up winning MVP if he takes matters into his own hands even more as a starting pitcher and DH.
Maury Wills remains the only Dodgers player to win an All-Star Game MVP, which he did in 1962, the first year the award was given out.
Shohei Ohtani happy to produce in All-Star Game
Ohtani’s home run was the first of his career in an All-Star Game. He entered the day going 1-for-4 with two walks and one strikeout over three years of All-Star games from 2021-23. His lone hit was a single.
“In general, I haven’t really hit well during the All-Star Game, so I’m just relieved that I put a good ball in play,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “I was really just focused on having a regular at-bat, as if I was in the regular season.”
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