The National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets has been a battle of blowout wins so far, with Shohei Ohtani and Francisco Lindor doing what they can to help lead the way for their respective teams.
Ohtani enjoyed a historic season with the Dodgers that saw him establish the 50-50 club and set a plethora of records in the process. Ohtani almost certainly will win his third career MVP Award at the end of the year over Lindor and other deserving candidates.
The All-Star shortstop had a phenomenal season as well and likely would be the favorite for NL MVP honors if not for Ohtani’s unworldly production as the Dodgers’ designated hitter.
Both players do not cross paths often but have mutual respect for each other.
“My impression of him is that he’s a really good guy,” Ohtani said of Lindor through interpreter Will Ireton.
“He smiles a lot. I do feel like he’s leading the club as well. I think both of us are in this position where what we did in the regular season is over and what matters is how we produce, what we produce during the postseason.
“I do think we’re perhaps connected in the same sense.”
Francisco Lindor praises Shohei Ohtani
Lindor also had high praise for Ohtani and respects the way he goes about himself.
“I admire his shoes. He’s got cool cleats. I admire the ability to stay within himself,” Lindor said of Ohtani.
“I mean, he’s a guy that, from day one, has had a lot of pressure on him. There’s been a lot of eyes and cameras on him, and his ability to stay within himself and to not get too big and to stay the course, that, to me, that’s brilliant. He’s done a fantastic job of everywhere he’s gone, he has managed to maneuver himself the right way.
“He plays the game the right way. I respect that. I feel like he respects his peers, whether they wear the same uniform, or the other uniform, and it’s been fun to watch him come into the league and become as good as he has.”
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