On Sunday evening, the NL West first place Los Angeles Dodgers announced (via social media) that 30-year-old international superstar Shohei Ohtani would be making his Dodgers pitching debut against the NL West third place San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on Monday evening.
As you might expect, this announcement had cellphones buzzing and chirping like crazy in and around Southern California and in Japan.
As you also might expect, the announcement sent on-line ticket prices soaring, with the cheapest tickets going for hundreds of dollars.
Ohtani, who is currently slashing an outstanding .297/.393/.642/1.034 as the Dodgers (almost) everyday designated hitter, has hit a team-leading 25 home runs and driven in 41 runs, which is tied with Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman for third-most on the team. He has also stolen a team-leading 11 bases thus far this season.
The Oshu, Japan native last pitched on August 23, 2023 while with the Angels of Anaheim. He underwent Tommy John surgery on October 1, 2018 and had right elbow surgery on September 19, 2023.
“I do feel like just being the two-way player I used to be is the norm,” Ohtani recently told reporters through an interpreter. “Last year was the abnormal year for me, and it’s about getting back to what I used to do,” he added.
“The live, simulated or whatever sort of ran its course,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Ohtani’s rehab efforts after his team’s 5-4 win over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday. “He’s ready to make his debut on the mound.”
Needless to say, this is going to be fun – especially for those lucky enough to have the hottest ticket in town.
Play Ball!
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