"Take me out to the ball game!" are words I shout every trip to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Growing up in LA's San Fernando Valley, I spent many summer days and nights rooting for Adrián Beltré, Russell Martin and all my other favorite boys in blue.
As a teen in a Dodgers hat, I'd walk under the blue gates' apt message: "Blue Heaven on Earth." The smell of popcorn, hot dogs, fresh grass, and the shouts of "Let's go, Dodgers!" overwhelmed me as I found my seat.
In the years since, I've realized why the Dodgers and Major League Baseball are so much more than something to do during the week — they foster cultural exchange and unite people around the world. This is especially apparent as the Dodgers won their way into the World Series against the New York Yankees, starting Friday, Oct. 25 at 5 pm local, broadcast via FOX.
Over the years, the Dodgers' roster has actively spearheaded progressive change and highlighted baseball's global impact. One of those biggest moments was in 1947, when Jackie Robinson signed with the then-Brooklyn Dodgers and became Major League Baseball's first Black player.
Today, the Dodgers' roster features players from Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Japan, and they've also signed baseball's top Mexican prospect. The Dodgers are a clear example that MLB is the most culturally diverse major league sport in the U.S.
But there's one player in particular who's getting most of the attention: Shohei "Shoh-Time" Ohtani. The 30-year-old, 6-foot-4, 210-pound phenom from Ōshū, Japan, is a marvel to watch. And that might be underselling it.
Ohtani is the best hitter in the game and a top-five pitcher (when healthy) who has a Rookie of the Year trophy, four All-Star appearances and two MVP awards to prove it. In Washingtonian terms, Ohtani combines the pitching power of a prime Randy Johnson and the masterful swing of a bat that opponents feared in Mariners designated hitter Edgar Martinez (but with more power and speed). For example, Ohtani spent 2023 leading the Japanese national team to an undefeated playoff season in the World Baseball Classic, and while he led the tournament in hits, runs and walks, the WBC's iconic moment was Ohtani on the mound striking out former Angels teammate Mike Trout to beat the United States in the championship game 3-2.
The Dodgers' signing of Ohtani this past offseason was earthshaking news. Ohtani left the Anaheim Angels and signed the biggest contract in sports history: 10 years for $700 million. But there's a catch to that contract that underlines the type of competitor he is — $680 million of that salary is deferred for a decade. The deferral helped the Dodgers acquire complementary talent like his countryman and standout starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Due to Tommy John surgery (a procedure to repair a torn ligament in the elbow), Ohtani hasn't pitched for the Dodgers... so he just had to focus on making history as a designated hitter. Ohtani also finished the regular season with a league-leading 54 home runs, 130 RBI and 59 stolen bases. On Sept. 19, he became the first player in MLB history with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. And this is Ohtani in a "limited role." Even more incredible for fans like me is the dedication and skill he displays. Former Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant created the idea of "Mamba mentality" — an obsession with improvement, dedication to the craft, resilience through tough times and focus on the process. Ohtani radiates that "Mamba mentality" that we Angelenos admire.
Ohtani has many quirks for fans to love, from his hip thrust when running on base to sunflower seed showers when making it to home plate. Even though he and his teammates speak different native languages, they share the common language of baseball. Beyond the winning, it's been a joy to watch Ohtani-san find great friendships with everyone from Yamamoto to Dominican (and former Seattle Mariner) Teoscar Hernandez and Puerto Rican Kiké Hernandez.
The Dodgers have done well to highlight their international star player with a Japanese Heritage Night, Japanese-speaking tours of the stadium, anime-inspired graphics and concession menus that incorporate Japanese food like chicken katsu sandwiches.
It's safe to say that Ohtani and his authentic buffet of character and talent will remain a fixture in America's pastime for the next decade. Hopefully, kids today from around the globe are developing their love of baseball after seeing Shoh-time play and dreaming of being just like him while swinging in their yards and sandlots. ♦
