Hernández Reveals What Dodgers Uncovered in the Full Shohei Ohtani Experience—And Why It Changes Everything
Shohei Ohtani isn’t just a name on a lineup card — he’s a spectacle, a historic phenom rewriting baseball’s playbook while juggling endorsements from green tea to skincare. The man carved his name into the record books with baseball’s first-ever 50-50 season and snagged a World Series ring, but that was only part of the story. What we’ve seen up to now? Just half the magic.
The Dodgers are about to unlock the full enchilada — the righty flamethrower with a blazing 100-mph heater who can also crush monsters out of the park left-handed. That’s right, Two-Way Shohei is stepping back onto the mound. Monday marks a thrilling milestone: Ohtani’s pitching debut for L.A., kicking off a four-game showdown against the San Diego Padres right at Dodger Stadium.
This isn’t your garden-variety comeback. It’s a rareshow, a legacy-in-the-making that might very well never grace the diamond again—no Dodger Stadium, no other major league park, nowhere on earth. The buzz has lit up the clubhouse, with Clayton Kershaw openly buzzing with excitement. “We’re all hyped,” Kershaw said. “Watching Shohei get ready to pitch and hit is just going to be a joy—no matter if he throws one inning or more.”
Initially pegged for a post-All-Star break return on the mound, the Dodgers shifted gears — not to rush, but to smooth the path forward. Ohtani’s last hurrah on the hill was in 2023 with the Angels, sidelined last year due to his second Tommy John surgery rehab. Now, after intense bullpen sessions exceeding 40 pitches in live batting practice, he’s game-ready.
Juggling pitching and hitting is no small feat—like running a doubleheader solo, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts notes—but this team is wise to Ohtani’s value and cautious in easing him in, offering innings spasmodically to protect his arm and harness his impact where it counts. With an injury-riddled rotation and a taxed bullpen, every inning from Ohtani is gold.
Ohtani’s struck 25 homers, leads the National League, sports a .297 batting average with 41 RBIs, and swiped 11 bases. He believes blending pitching with hitting won’t hamper his bat, admitting, “Doing both at the same time is my usual style.”
After six seasons and four as a two-way marvel with the Angels—earning two MVPs and nearly three—he’s poised to elevate his game on a Dodgers squad eager to crown those feats with postseason glory.
Curious to dive deeper into Shohei’s trailblazing return and what it means for the Dodgers and baseball at large? LEARN MOREOn the field, he’s produced the first 50-50 season in baseball history and won a World Series. Off it, he’s sold everything from unsweetened green tea to skin-care products.
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