Dave Roberts is So Happy for Shohei Ohtani After Winning World Series With Dodgers
Shohei Ohtani has done it all in his first season with the Dodgers.
He shattered the record for career home runs by a Japanese-born player. Then, he became the first player in history to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. He is about to become the first designated hitter to win the National League MVP in history. And now, he is a World Series champion.
“I’m thrilled,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said about Ohtani finally being a World Series champion. “Six years in the States, arguably the best player in the Big Leagues. So he committed to us, and he wanted to play for a championship. For it to kind of come to fruition in his first year is pretty remarkable.”
Before joining the Dodgers, Ohtani played six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels. This season, the franchise broke the record for longest postseason drought. The Angels’ last postseason appearance was in 2014, which made this postseason the first of Ohtani’s career.
“What Shohei’s done to our ball club, the Dodger fan base domestically, globally, I just don’t think you can quantify,” Roberts said. “And he’s just such a good guy. He was playing with one arm in the postseason. So most guys would probably tap out, but he was going to not be denied at playing and posting and being in the lineup.”
Ohtani endured a shoulder injury after sliding into second base in Game 2 of the World Series. But, he did not let that prevent him from helping the Dodgers win the title. Across 16 postseason games, Ohtani slashed .230/.373/.393 while logging 14 runs, 14 hits, 10 RBIs, and three home runs.
“For him to hoist that World Series trophy, that’s something he dreamed of, I’m sure, for quite some time,” Roberts said.
The World Series victory cemented Ohtani’s 2024 season as arguably one of the best in baseball history.
Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
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