PHOENIX — Shohei Ohtani’s life is dramatically completely different since he modified uniforms, placing up historic numbers for a marquee franchise, enjoying in his first playoff race, and now for the primary time Tuesday can be getting into the identical stadium the place he turned a global sensation.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are opening a two-game sequence in opposition to Ohtani’s former employers, the Los Angeles Angels, and enjoying at Angel Stadium for the primary time since he departed for a record-setting 10-year, $700 million contract, the richest in North American sports activities.
The Angels and their followers can solely watch in envy when Ohtani is available in, enjoying for the staff with the most effective file in baseball, and placing up numbers no hitter has ever accrued earlier than in baseball historical past with 44 homers and 46 stolen bases.
Even probably the most diehard Angels followers can’t boo Ohtani, and even blame him, for leaving for the crosstown rival Dodgers.
“For me, it’s a particular place,” mentioned Ohtani, who stole three bases within the Dodgers’ 11-6 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday. “I spent numerous time at Anaheim Stadium. … I’m simply actually wanting ahead to having the ability to spend a while at a ballpark that I spent most of my profession.”
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The Angels, in fact, might have stored him.
Ohtani even gave the Angels a final likelihood to match the Dodgers’ provide.
The decision was made out of Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, to Angels proprietor Arte Moreno within the waning days of negotiations.
If the Angels matched, Ohtani would nonetheless be carrying an Angels uniform.
The Angels handed.
Ohtani — a human money-making machine for the Dodgers and overwhelming favourite to win the Nationwide League MVP award — has no laborious emotions.
Matter of truth, he’s grateful.
If the Angels had matched the provide, he wouldn’t be experiencing the best trip of his life, along with his recognition in Los Angeles nearing Magic Johnson proportions.
Was he stunned the Angels handed?
“Not likely,” mentioned Ohtani, by means of his interpreter, who additionally had the identical provide from the Toronto Blue Jays. “I’m simply grateful and grateful for the groups that ended up providing the contract as a result of that’s a mirrored image of what they consider me. I’m grateful for the groups that evaluated me extremely.’’
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So, if the Angels matched, would he positively be enjoying for them the remainder of his profession?
“Arduous to inform,’’ Ohtani mentioned. “Clearly, the provide didn’t come to fruition. So it’s actually a state of affairs the place it was extra of a ‘if-they-did state of affairs.’ So, I actually can’t communicate to that.’’
When requested why the Angels didn’t have extra success with him enjoying alongside Mike Trout, notably with him additionally pitching and profitable two MVP awards, he blamed himself as a lot as anybody, citing accidents. He pitched in solely two video games over two seasons recovering from Tommy John surgical procedure, and missed 55 video games the final two seasons.
“There have been seasons the place we performed properly as a staff,” Ohtani mentioned, “however there have been additionally seasons the place I didn’t actually play in any respect. And if I did in these conditions, perhaps the outcomes would have been completely different.”
Whereas the Angels can be sitting house for the tenth consecutive yr and not using a playoff berth, the Dodgers now are on the point of their 12th NL West title in 13 years, profitable three of 4 video games within the sequence in opposition to the Diamondbacks.
The Dodgers (83-55) have a six-game lead over the D-backs (77-61) within the NL West with simply 24 video games remaining, however with their victory Monday, additionally they captured the season sequence and tiebreaker benefit, primarily giving them a seven-game benefit.
The San Diego Padres (79-61) are nonetheless 5 video games out within the NL West, however this race is near being formally over, with Ohtani about to expertise the playoffs for the primary time in his MLB profession.
“Personally, it’s my first time having the ability to expertise this spot within the standings,” Ohtani mentioned, “and having the ability to play in opposition to different division rivals who’re making an attempt to take the spot as properly. So, personally, sure, it’s very thrilling.’’
The Dodgers, winners of 17 of the final 23 video games, capturing 5 consecutive sequence, are rolling today with no indicators of stopping, placing on an offensive clinic within the four-game sequence in opposition to the Diamondbacks. They hit .338 and scored 32 runs, together with eight house runs, together with seven by Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts.
The Dodgers and D-backs threw haymakers and bludgeoned each other all weekend, scoring a mixed 67 runs in entrance of 186,000 spectators, however when the sequence ended, it was the Dodgers who have been standing.
“Clearly, you possibly can see the urgency with each golf equipment, how they play,” Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned, “and for us to win three video games, and up six video games in opposition to these guys, we took care of enterprise. …
“You have a look at the previous few weeks, we’ve had numerous proficient groups which might be enjoying for potential postseason spots, numerous actually good pitching, groups managing in opposition to us prefer it’s the postseason, and we responded.
“The large gamers, the large stars, carried out.’’
Freeman had a monster sequence, hitting .600 with 4 homers and 10 RBI.
Left fielder Teoscar Hernandez had a five-hit sport Monday.
Proper fielder Mookie Betts homered with three RBI.
Starter Jack Flaherty, who may very well be the Dodgers’ ace within the postseason, gave up one run and struck out seven.
However Roberts nonetheless is antsy about his rotation. He has no thought whether or not three-time Cy Younger winner Clayton Kershaw will pitch once more this season or when Tyler Glasnow or Yoshinobu Yamamoto will return. He mentioned earlier than the sport that he felt extra assured about final yr’s rotation getting into the playoffs than the present state of this one.
Nonetheless, prepared or not, right here come the Dodgers.
“I’m in playoff mode, and I do know our guys are too,” Roberts mentioned. “It’s going to be an extended playoff season for us.’’
Why, after being swept out of the Division Sequence by the Diamondbacks a yr in the past, and knocked out by the Padres two years in the past, perhaps Ohtani will make the distinction.
He spent his life ready for an opportunity to be on baseball’s greatest stage. And in 4 weeks, it lastly will arrive, with a pitstop at his outdated stomping grounds.
“It’s going to be considerably emotional for him,’’ Roberts mentioned. “However feelings are relative to the individual, and I believe he’s going to be simply effective going again there and nonetheless serving to us win a ballgame.
“I imply, there’s nothing that he hasn’t needed to cope with that he hasn’t handed with flying colours.”
The highlight will definitely be on Ohtani. His 44 house runs and 46 stolen bases in the identical season has by no means been completed, stealing 25 bases with out being caught.
“I really like his aggressive mindset,’’ Roberts mentioned. “These stolen bases are creating situational alternatives. … He’s only a staff participant. He needs to win.’’
And, sure, he’d love have that magical 50-50 season on his resume getting into the postseason, too.
“He’s on a mission,’’ Roberts mentioned, “and 50-50 appears very doubtless.’’
Yep, so does one other NL West title for the Dodgers.
Who is aware of, maybe there can be one other first-round matchup in opposition to the Diamondbacks, who the Dodgers privately consider could be probably the most harmful staff standing of their manner of a World Sequence berth.
So, do the Dodgers now have not less than a psychological edge in the event that they play the D-backs once more within the playoffs?
“I’d like to say sure,’’ Roberts mentioned, “nevertheless it didn’t work out final yr.’’
October lurks, solely this time, it should embrace Ohtani.
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