Shohei Ohtani made his fifth consecutive All-Star appearance this week and second since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers before last season.
Ohtani was the first All-Star Game starters named due to receiving the most votes among all National League players in Phase 1.
He served as the NL’s starting designated hitter for the second consecutive year, going 1-for-2 with a run scored as part of a two-run first inning against American League starter Tarik Skubal.
The NL eventually came out on top for just the second time in the past 12 seasons, needing to win the first ever swing-off in All-Star Game history. Ohtani wasn’t around to participate, but still made a strong impression on his peers throughout the festivities in Atlanta.
Shohei Ohtani draws ultimate respect at All-Star Game
Tarik Skubal
The reigning American League Cy Young award winner praised Ohtani’s ability on the diamond and his influence as an ambassador for the game of baseball.
“He’s a great player. He’s a great player, put a great swing on a pretty good pitch,” Skubal said. “So, I mean, he’s such a good advocate for the game of baseball, ambassador.
“He does everything right. And I’m very appreciative that he’s a part of our league because he’s the best in the world.”
Pete Crow-Armstrong
What stands out most to Chicago Cubs All-Star Pete Crow-Armstrong about Ohtani is the enthusiasm he plays with and how much fun it is to share a dugout with him.
“I admire the heck out of Shohei. I think he exudes the most joy that I’ve been around on a baseball field,” Crow-Armstrong said. “And he is, in my opinion, top-two player in this league. Could be debatable.
“I love the moments where he makes you feel like he’s a man amongst boys. And he comes in the dugout and he’s goofy and keeps it super light and regular.
“So with all of the stuff that comes with being him, I think I respect the way that he goes about his business and the respect he shows everybody else.”
Clayton Kershaw
While delivering a message to his NL teammates, Clayton Kershaw emphasized the importance of the event in relation to the overall health of the sport. Kershaw stressed the need for those in attendance to recognize their responsibility to the game and highlighted players like Aaron Judge and Ohtani as examples of how to do it well.
“The All-Star Game, it can be hard at times for the players. It’s a lot of travel, it’s a lot of stress, chaos, family, all the stuff,” Kershaw said. “But it’s meaningful. It’s impactful for the game. It’s important for the game.
“We have the best All-Star Game of any sport. We do have the best product. So to be here, to realize your responsibility in the sport is important. And we have Shohei here, we have Aaron Judge here. We have all these guys that represent the game really, really well.
“So we get to showcase that and be part of that. It’s important. I just said I was super honored to be a part of it. Thanks for letting me be here, really.”
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