The Los Angeles Dodgers had their series finale against the Washington Nationals delayed due to rain, but Shohei Ohtani still created some magic for a fan.
Before the game began more than two hours after the originally scheduled time, Ohtani was on the field going through pitching workouts while it was raining. While most people were looking for shelter from the water, at least one child stayed out in the rain to watch Ohtani practice.
After completing his workout, Ohtani went over to the fan to take a photo and handed him the baseball that he used.
A picture and a baseball from Shohei Ohtani … what a memory for this young fan 💙 https://t.co/NueEAxCdW7 pic.twitter.com/VK6yxVvwV6
— MLB (@MLB) April 5, 2026
Interactions with Ohtani are somewhat rare for fans as the Dodgers have tight security around one of the most popular athletes in the world, and he’s rarely on the field pregame besides during his throwing sessions.
But Ohtani has still created countless memories for many, and for that fan in Washington, it surely is a moment that he’ll never forget.
Once the game began, Ohtani started off the Dodgers’ offense with a solo home run that put them up 1-0 in the third inning. He also hit a sacrifice fly that resulted in driving in the game-winning run in their 8-6 victory to complete a sweep of the Nationals.
The two-way superstar is scheduled to pitch the series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday at Rogers Centre in Canada. That will be his second start of the season after throwing six scoreless innings with six strikeouts in his season debut against the Cleveland Guardians.
As the designated hitter, Ohtani was frustrated by his slow offensive start, but he now has two home runs in his last three games while going 6-for-15 with six RBI. Overall, he’s hitting .273 with an .880 on-base plus slugging to begin the year.
Shohei Ohtani’s partnership with Grand Seiko
Grand Seiko announced a global partnership with Ohtani that began on April 1, 2026, as part of its Grand Moments Project.
“To carry forward a part of Grand Seiko’s heritage, shaped through decades of dedication, is something I deeply value,” Ohtani said in a statement. “Feeling that legacy as I wear the watch brings me real joy, and it is my hope that we will continue this journey together.”
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