Shohei Ohtani Happy With His Consistency Throughout First Season With Dodgers
Coming into the final series of the regular season against the Colorado Rockies, Shohei Ohtani had already secured the best offensive season in Los Angeles Dodgers history.
And while his bid for the National League Triple Crown, his consistency throughout the season set the tone early and often for the Dodgers.
“First and foremost, I think the most important part of all this is that I was able to play consistently throughout the whole year,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “I’m very thankful and grateful for all the staff who supported me throughout this year.”
Ohtani kept things exciting right up to the end of the regular season with one of his most impressive stretches. His single in the eighth inning on Sunday extended his hitting streak to 12 games, during which he went 29-for-53 (.547), hit seven home runs, drove in 22 runs, and stole 11 bases. He struck out only nine times during this run.
Ohtani entered the season with high expectations after signing a massive 10-year, $700 million contract, and he delivered by setting career bests in home runs (54), RBIs (130), stolen bases (59), total bases (411), and hits (197).
“You’ve seen a superstar,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “I think the thing that I marvel at is the expectations that are put on him, that he puts on himself, and to still go out there every day and put on a show. I can’t imagine the pressure with all those expectations. But his preparedness, his work, is very, very focused.”
Ohtani didn’t change his approach when he moved to the top of the lineup when Mookie Betts went on the injured list and he didn’t change anything when Betts came back. He has stayed true to himself throughout the season.
“I haven’t really changed my approach,” Ohtani said. “Not necessarily trying to get base hits, but it’s always about improving my quality of at-bats. I thought that I was able to increase and better my quality of at-bats later.”
As he prepares for his postseason debut there is only one thing on his mind.
“I’m going to be focused on maintaining where I am and making sure that I’m focused throughout.”
Photo Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
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