Shohei Ohtani did not disappoint in his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which included keeping focused amid a gambling scandal involving former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara and getting acclimated with new teammates.
Then there was the added pressure of Ohtani’s Dodgers contract being for a record-breaking $700 million over 10 years. Ohtani went on to complete one of the best offensive seasons in MLB history, becoming the charter member of the 50/50 club and almost winning the first National League triple crown in 87 years as a side quest.
With an NL-leading 54 home runs and 130 RBI, his .310 batting average was a mere .004 points behind league-leader Luis Arraez of the San Diego Padres.
But underneath the larger-than-life mythos Ohtani might have in the eyes of the public because of his herculean efforts on the field, Kiké Hernández shared Dodgers teammates get to see a different side, according to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
“He’s almost like a little kid, trapped in a giant body,” Kiké Hernández explained. “He doesn’t necessarily always show it. But I was surprised by how much personality he has.”
The way teammates tell it, Ohtani is keenly aware that he plays a children’s game for a living and brings that energy to each and every game. But at the same time possesses the Mamba-like Mentality that drives all great athletes:
“[He can] be goofy and playful and look like he’s really having fun playing the game,” said veteran utilityman Chris Taylor. “But then also at the same time be super focused and locked in.”
Ohtani’s ability as a baseball player and the pleasant attitude and energy he brings to the Dodgers’ clubhouse has allowed him to quickly win over the entire team and especially the veterans of the organization:
“He’s pretty serious,” catcher Austin Barnes echoed. “But he can joke and mess around, too. He makes me laugh.”
“He does a great job of having a childlike joy toward the game,” added reliever Blake Treinen, “but playing it like a grown man.”
Ohtani helped lead the Dodgers to an MLB-best 98 wins during the regular season despite a rash of injuries throughout the year. They clinched the NL West title and secured a 12th consecutive postseason berth, and are looking to avoid October disappointment once again.
Shohei Ohtani wins NL Player of the Month
The only reason that an NL triple crown became a remote possibility this season was Ohtani’s remarkable last 10 games of the season. He entered the game against the Miami Marlins on Sept. 19 with a .287 batting average, which would have put any chances of a triple crown well out of reach with Arraez’s league-leading .320 batting average.
After becoming the first player in MLB history to have a 50/50 season, Ohtani proceeded to go on an absolute tear at the plate.
Ohtani batted .393/.458/.766 with 27 runs, eight doubles, one triple, 10 home runs, 32 RBI and 16 stolen bases over 26 games in the final month of the regular season.
While he ultimately fell short of the average needed, Ohtani was named NL Player of the Month for September.
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