As the anticipation builds for the World Series opener, Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani was spotted warming up ahead of the game, showcasing his impressive skills by throwing the ball over 100 meters. The crowd erupted with excitement as Ohtani grinned and playfully tossed a ball into the stands.
At 30 years old, Ohtani marks his sixth year in MLB and is set to make his debut in the World Series today, batting first as the designated hitter for the Dodgers. Known for his exceptional two-way talent, Ohtani has been recovering from elbow surgery since last year and, unfortunately, is unable to pitch during games this season.
In the lead-up to the World Series, media discussions have been buzzing with speculation about the possibility of Ohtani speeding up his recovery to make a pitching appearance. However, both Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and Ohtani himself dispelled these rumors during a pre-game press conference yesterday. Roberts stated emphatically, “It’s impossible, absolutely not,” while Ohtani clarified that he never considered pitching in this postseason.
Before his first-ever World Series game, Ohtani was seen on the outfield grass with what appeared to be a catcher’s glove. He engaged in long-distance throwing with a catcher positioned near the left field foul pole, gradually extending the distance to deep center field, surpassing 100 meters.
After the long toss, Ohtani transitioned to regular pitching distances, throwing to the crouched catcher on the grass. Fans, who are usually treated to indoor batting practice during warm-ups, were thrilled to see him in action. They pulled out their phones to capture every moment, while Ohtani maintained a light-hearted demeanor, frequently flashing his signature smile.
Once the throwing session concluded, Ohtani raised the ball triumphantly and pointed to both sides of the stands, igniting a lively back-and-forth with the fans as they cheered for him to throw the ball their way. He relished the brief interaction with the crowd before heading back to the dugout, still sporting that bright smile.
