Shohei Ohtani setting new Los Angeles Dodgers records and making MLB history with his 50th home run of the season occurred in some part because of Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker allowing the moment to unfold.
Already having watched Ohtani nearly hit for the cycle at loanDepot Park and with the Dodgers comfortably ahead, Schumaker had Mike Baumann face the Dodgers star despite first base being open.
The SportsNet LA broadcast captured Schumaker in the dugout appearing to say he had “too much respect” for Ohtani, presumably in response to a potential intentional walk.
Ohtani proceeded to become the founding member of the 50-50 club by lining a two-run home run to left field on the fourth pitch of his at-bat in the seventh inning.
“I texted him after. I thought it was a class move,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Schumaker’s decision.
“The game, I talk a lot about, it’s bigger than all of us. In that moment, you can’t run from it, and Skip handled it the right way.”
Schumaker has garnered plenty of praise since being hired as Marlins manager despite the team generally continuing to struggle. Schumaker and Roberts previously were intertwined for 2023 National League Manager of the Year.
Schumaker won the award, with Roberts only receiving 15 total votes for 41 points that amounted to a fifth-place finish. Roberts garnered four first-place votes, five for second place and six for third.
He was voted NL Manager of the Year in 2016, and has two other finishes as a finalist in 2017 and 2022, placing second both times.
Schumaker began his coaching career with the San Diego Padres in 2018. His first role was as first base coach for two seasons, which was followed by advancing to Padres associate manager from 2020-2021.
Schumaker was part of the Padres coaching staff that snapped a 13-year postseason drought in 2020, but their season ended in being swept by the Dodgers in the NL Division Series.
Skip Schumaker’s Dodgers career
Schumaker’s 11-year career included playing for the Dodgers in 2013. He hit .263/.332/.332 with 16 doubles, two home runs and 30 RBI over 125 games.
When Clayton Kershaw passed Don Sutton for first place on the Dodgers all-time strikeouts list in 2022, the team released video tribute that featured Schumaker and more former teammates.
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