Shohei Ohtani has returned to the stadium and city where he achieved nearly everything except a championship.
On Tuesday night, Ohtani played his first regular-season game at Angel Stadium as a visitor, representing the Los Angeles Dodgers.
After spending six seasons with the Angels, where the team struggled with losing records, Ohtani moved from Anaheim to Los Angeles as a free agent last winter. Having become a baseball sensation with the struggling Angels, Ohtani is now part of the top team in the majors.
As the Angels wrap up another disappointing season, Ohtani is just weeks away from making his MLB postseason debut.
Before that, he will compete in two games in the visitors’ clubhouse at the stadium where his remarkable presence stood out during six otherwise challenging years with the Angels.
“I think it’s going to be special for everyone,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before the game.
“For Shohei, this might offer a sense of closure, reflecting on his great time in Anaheim with the fans. Tonight gives them a chance to show their appreciation. It will be a meaningful moment, but he’s also excited to be a Dodger and compete for a championship.”
Exactly one year after his final game with the Angels, Ohtani was back in his familiar role as the Dodgers’ leadoff batter and designated hitter to kick off the Freeway Series in Anaheim.
Although the Angels did not present a major in-game tribute to Ohtani, they did show a video highlighting his many achievements, including his two AL MVP awards, as he stepped up as the game’s first batter.
Ohtani, who received more cheers than boos from a crowd with many sporting Dodger Blue, grounded out to first base in the first inning.
However, he hit a triple down the right-field line in the third inning, tying the game with his 99th RBI of the season. He later scored on Mookie Betts’ single, giving the Dodgers the lead.
Ohtani has certainly met the Dodgers’ expectations since they signed him to the largest contract in baseball history.
He leads the National League with 44 home runs and has stolen 46 bases, with his offensive stats closely mirroring those from his final season with the Angels.
The major change now is his new team: Ohtani’s remarkable talent is now part of an organization with a storied history of success. In contrast, the Angels are enduring their ninth consecutive losing season and their tenth straight year without making the playoffs, the longest active streaks in the majors.
Roberts noted that Ohtani’s transition from a team out of the playoff hunt to a leading role in Los Angeles has been seamless both personally and professionally.
Roberts mentioned, “The transition has gone smoothly, and I use the term ‘closure’ because it seems more relevant for the fans. Shohei has understandably moved on.
He excels at keeping his personal life separate from his professional life. However, this event is something people are eagerly anticipating and have noted on their calendars.”
Even though the Angels might finish with their worst record ever this season, first-year manager Ron Washington is excited about Ohtani’s return to the stadium where he was beloved by fans for the past six seasons.
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