Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has firmly closed the door on Shohei Ohtani’s chances of pitching in the upcoming World Series.
Before Friday’s Game 1 at Dodger Stadium, Roberts was asked if there was any possibility his designated hitter could be on the mound against the New York Yankees.
“There’s no way, none at all,” Roberts said Thursday, before politely adding, “Thanks for asking.”
Ohtani’s first season after signing a $700 million deal with the Dodgers was spent solely as a hitter after undergoing a second major elbow surgery in the offseason. He started pitching from a mound in August and Roberts had even opened up the possibility of him returning in the postseason, but that idea has been abandoned.
Regardless, Ohtani isn’t upset about being used exclusively as a DH in his World Series debut.
Design hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) of Los Angeles Dodgers answers questions on 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 heading into the World Series.
After the first 50-50 season in MLB history (50 home runs and 50 stolen bases), Ohtani seemed unperturbed Thursday by the pushing and shoving and the wall of cameras and microphones trained on him. He rested his arms on the table, his fingers interlaced, a slight smile on his boyish face.
“That man never hesitates,” joked Dodgers reliever Brent Honeywell, wearing a T-shirt commemorating Ohtani’s historic achievement. “It’s as advertised.”
Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus led Ohtani and the Angels in 2019. Ohtani played a shortened season that year since he was recovering from Tommy John surgery at the beginning and underwent knee surgery near the end.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if in a year he wins 60 or 60 and has 20 wins,” Ausmus said. “This man is the best baseball player ever and there is no close second.”
No, Shohei Ohtani will not pitch, according to LA 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 is hitting .286 with 10 RBIs and goes 6 for 9 with runners in scoring position.
“He’s like a unicorn,” Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. said. “But we have one of our own.”
That would be slugger Aaron Judge. He and Ohtani, baseball’s two best home run hitters, exchanged compliments out of earshot of each other.
When told that Judge called him the best player in baseball, Ohtani responded, “I’m honored that he thinks of me that way. He is also one of the top players in this league.”
The judge said: ‘He can attack you in so many different ways. He can grab power, on average it is a tough battle.’
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani speaks during media day prior to the World Series
Yankees outfielder Juan Soto is most impressed with Ohtani’s consistency.
“It doesn’t take off and then come back down,” he said. ‘He has been getting better, little by little, and is scoring his goals. He works every day and is focused on what he wants.”
Ohtani’s home country of Japan has already tuned in to the playoffs in record numbers to see him and his $325 million rookie teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Ohtani will have his personal cheering section on hand.
His parents are expected to attend the World Series. He made no mention of his new wife, Mamiko, who has been an elusive presence during the playoffs.
And his dog Decoy?
“If he’s in good shape, he definitely will,” Ohtani said of the pup who became popular this season in his cleats and bobblehead. Decoy even threw a first pitch with help from Ohtani.
After nearly twenty minutes of entertaining English questions, Ohtani segued into questions in Japanese.
In every language it has the same purpose.
“The greatest moment I hope for is that we can celebrate with a World Series win,” he said.
