Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman (5) celebrates after his two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 2, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Shohei Ohtani is experiencing a significant shift in his career as he joins the Los Angeles Dodgers and prepares for the postseason. After six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, where he set multiple records as a two-way player but never made it to October baseball, Ohtani has signed a landmark 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers. This move was influenced by the Dodgers’ consistent success, having secured a playoff spot every year since 2013. As the regular season winds down, the Dodgers are well-positioned to clinch another division title. Ohtani is enjoying the competitive atmosphere of a playoff race for the first time, competing against division rivals for a postseason spot. Ohtani said he has enjoyed being part of a playoff race for the first time in his career, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group,”Personally, it’s my first time being able to experience being at this spot in the standings and being able to play against other division rivals who are trying to take the spot as well,” Ohtani said.
“So personally yes, it’s very exciting.” During his tenure with the Angels, Ohtani played alongside stars like Mike Trout, but injuries often hindered the team’s potential. He missed significant time in several seasons, which he believes impacted the team’s performance. Ohtani took the blame for some of that as he missed stretches of games in multiple seasons due to injury saying, “There were seasons where we played well as a team, but there were also seasons where I really didn’t play at all,” he said, referring to the injuries that took him out of the lineup.
“If I did, in those situations maybe the results would’ve been different.” In his first season with the Dodgers, Ohtani has mostly served as a designated hitter while recovering from elbow surgery, with plans to return to pitching next year. He has played in nearly all of the team’s games this season, showcasing his resilience. As he approaches his first postseason appearance, Ohtani is also on the brink of making history
