The Los Angeles Dodgers have a as soon as in a lifetime expertise in Shohei Ohtani.
When it comes to being an MVP-like slugger and ace pitcher, it’s been over a century for the reason that baseball world has seen somebody like Ohtani. When it comes to clubhouse affect, a frontrunner like him is simply as uncommon.
Extra information: Stan Kasten Gave Unimaginable Message to Shohei Ohtani When Recruiting Him to Dodgers
Earlier than his first season with the Dodgers was underway, followers had been amazed at Ohtani defering $680 million of his profitable $700 million deal for the betterment of the staff and to unfold extra quick cash round a gifted roster.
Not solely did the phenom turn into the primary participant in MLB historical past to slug 50 or extra residence runs and steal 50 or extra bases in the identical season, however Ohtani secured his third MVP award on the best way to the franchise’s eighth World Collection title.
Ohtani’s affect has been felt by Miguel Rojas, one of the revered gamers within the clubhouse. With regards to speeches at staff dinners or which veteran to show to for recommendation, it’s virtually all the time Rojas who gamers will flip to.
Just lately, Rojas advised the Orange County Register’s Invoice Plunkett about Ohtani’s management and what units him other than the common MVP.
“I can’t inform you how way more respect I’ve obtained for him,” Rojas mentioned. “Not only for the 50/50 (season) and the MVPs and all of that however the best way that he’s changing into a frontrunner on this clubhouse, bringing individuals into this group (by being part of the recruiting pitch to [Yoshinobu] Yamamoto and [Roki] Sasaki), serving to others despite the fact that he’s obtained his arms full with attempting to return again to pitching, getting back from surgical procedure.
“However he nonetheless takes time to hit with (rookie Hyeseong) Kim within the cage. He’s taking time to go to the wings consuming contest (throughout spring coaching). That’s management.”
As Ohtani is recovering from his second Tommy John surgical procedure, he’ll return to the mound in some unspecified time in the future this season after not pitching since 2023.
As he continues to develop what he does on the diamond, he may even proceed growing as a frontrunner and bringing collectively a staff looking for one thing the baseball world hasn’t seen in a quarter-century — profitable back-to-back World Collection titles.
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Picture Credit score: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Pictures
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