Shohei Ohtani Revels In First Career Postseason Berth, Celebrates With Dog and Wife on Field
If there was any better evidence that Shohei Ohtani had been waiting all his life to reach the MLB postseason, it was on full display after the Dodgers’ 7-2 victory over the San Diego Padres clinched the team’s 11th National League West title in the last 12 years.
Of course, it was the first postseason berth for Ohtani, who spent the first six years of his major league career in Anaheim before signing a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers last December.
Who did he celebrate the moment with? His wife, Mamiko and his dog, Decoy.
The celebration had just begun when Ohtani scooped up Decoy on the field, joined by Mamiko, and the two posed for photos as the crowd cheered.
Ohtani’s postgame revelry was just beginning.
Back in the clubhouse, Ohtani was among the few brave souls to enjoy the champagne-soaked clubhouse atmosphere without goggles on.
Speaking to reporters afterward through interpreter Will Ireton, Ohtani said “It stung a little bit in my eyes but hopefully it wouldn’t cause too much damage.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Ohtani has dreamed about this precise moment since he was a kid.
“Now he’s living it, right now in real time,” Roberts told reporters in the clubhouse Thursday night. “He’s put on a show in the last couple weeks. What a year he’s having. We’re going to ride that horse, that thoroughbred to the championship.”
In addition to recording the first 50-homer, 50-steal season in Major League Baseball history, Ohtani had a huge hit in the clinching game Thursday.
Batting in the seventh inning with the Dodgers and the Padres tied 2-2, Ohtani singled on a ground ball to right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr., scoring Enrique Hernández with the go-ahead run. Ohtani advanced to second on a throwing error by Tatis.
That set the stage for Ohtani to score when the Dodgers’ next batter, Mookie Betts, singled on a line drive to right field. Andy Pages’ home run in the eighth inning tacked on two more runs for good measure in the Dodgers’ 7-2 victory.
It was a huge night for Ohtani and the Dodgers — one they hope is a sign of many more to come as the team looks to reach the World Series in October.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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