Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has firmly closed the door on Shohei Ohtani’s chances of pitching during the upcoming World Series.
Before Friday’s Game 1 at Dodger Stadium, Roberts was asked if there was any chance his designated hitter could find himself on the mound against the New York Yankees.
“There’s no chance, none at all,” Roberts said Thursday, before politely adding, “Thanks for asking.”
Ohtani’s first season after signing a $700 million contract with the Dodgers was spent exclusively as a hitter after undergoing a second major elbow surgery in the offseason. He began pitching from a mound in August, and Roberts had even raised the possibility of his return in the postseason, but that notion has been abandoned.
Still, Ohtani isn’t upset about being used exclusively as a designated hitter in his World Series debut.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) answers questions Thursday
“I never told them I wanted to pitch in the postseason,” Ohtani said through an interpreter.
Ohtani, who started an All-Star Game as a pitcher, is currently the focus of national and international media ahead of the World Series.
After the first 50-50 season in MLB history (50 home runs and 50 stolen bases), Ohtani seemed unfazed by the shoving and the wall of cameras and microphones pointed at him Thursday. He rested his arms on the table, fingers intertwined and a slight smile on his youthful face.
“The guy never lets up,” quipped Dodgers reliever Brent Honeywell, wearing a T-shirt commemorating Ohtani’s historic feat. “He is as advertised.”
Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus managed Ohtani and the Angels in 2019. Ohtani played a shortened season that year as he was recovering from Tommy John surgery early on and underwent knee surgery near the end.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if within a year he went 60-60 and had 20 wins,” Ausmus said. “This guy is the greatest baseball player of all time and there’s no close second.”
No, Shohei Ohtani will not pitch, according to Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts
Ohtani has just three home runs and no stolen bases this postseason after 54 home runs and 59 steals during the regular season. He’s hitting .286 with 10 RBIs, going 6-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
“It’s like a unicorn,” said Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. “But we have one of our own.”
That would be slugger Aaron Judge. He and Ohtani, the two best home run hitters in baseball, exchanged pleasantries out of each other’s hearing.
When told that Judge called him the best player in baseball, Ohtani responded, “I’m honored that’s how he thinks of me.” “He’s also one of the best players in this league.”
Judge said: “It can attack you in many different ways.” “He can hit for power, on average, it’s a tough battle.”
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers speaks during media day before the World Series
Yankees outfielder Juan Soto is very impressed by Ohtani’s consistency.
“He doesn’t take off and then come down,” he said. “He has been advancing all the time, little by little, and achieving his objectives. He works every day and focuses on what he wants.’
Ohtani’s native Japan has already been tuning into the playoffs in record numbers to watch him and his $325 million rookie teammate, Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Ohtani will have his personal section of entertainers on hand.
His parents are expected to attend the World Series. He didn’t mention his new wife, Mamiko, who has been an elusive presence during the playoffs.
And your dog Decoy?
“If he’s in good shape, yes he will be,” Ohtani said of the pup popularized on his shoes and bobblehead this season. Decoy even threw a first pitch with the help of Ohtani.
After almost 20 minutes of entertaining questions in English, Ohtani moved on to questions in Japanese.
In any language, it has the same goal.
“The best moment I hope for is that we can celebrate with a World Series victory,” he said.
