Shohei Ohtani News: Dodgers Star Reacts to His Historic Game, 50/50 Season
The dust hasn’t even settled from Shohei Ohtani’s historic day leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 20-4 drilling of the Miami Marlins on Thursday.
However, it has cleared enough for him to react.
“I’m happy, relieved, and very respectful to the peers and everybody who came before who played this sport of baseball,” Ohtani told reporters after the game.
Ohtani didn’t just create the 50-50 club on Thursday, he surpassed it with one of the greatest single-game performances the sport has ever seen. He was 6-for-6 with three home runs, two doubles, two stolen bases and 10 RBIs.
“I wanted to get it over as soon as possible because the balls were getting exchanged before every time I was up to bat so I wanted to get it over,” he added during his postgame interview.
loanDepot Park holds a special place in Ohtani’s heart already. It is the ballpark where he helped lead Japan to a World Baseball Classic title defeating the United States and striking out his former Angels teammate Mike Trout to do it.
Now, he made Major League Baseball history in the same park.
“I’ve had perhaps the most memorable moments of my career here,” Ohtani said. “This stadium has become one of my most favorite stadiums.”
But it isn’t just the individual accolades that make Ohtani proud of this moment. The win also clinched a playoff berth for the Dodgers — something Ohtani is experiencing for the first time in his career.
“Although I switched uniforms, came to a new team, my goal was always to be in the playoffs. I’m glad we made it today, personally, and for the team.”
Ohtani’s 50th home run set a new franchise record for homers in a single season, passing Shawn Green’s 49. His 10 RBIs were a franchise record, too. It was also his first career three-homer game and career-high six hits.
By the end of the game, every piece of equipment had been authenticated and at least one item will be sent to Cooperstown.
When the team returned to the clubhouse after the game, manager Dave Roberts gave a short speech and raised a toast to arguably the best player in baseball.
“Shohei was the player of the series, rightfully so. Let’s raise a glass of champagne also. This is a game that’s been played for over 200 years and he’s done something that has never been done in this game. Shohei, cheers to you on something really spectacular.”
Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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