Shohei Ohtani made history in front sold-out White Sox’s crowd, but the memorable night was almost overshadowed by an eerie late strike that put the Dodgers star in a risky situation.
With the MLB only halfway through it’s 2024 season, Ohanti has etched his way into the club’s history books and is set to break another record after recording his tenth-straight runs-batted-in (RBI), equalling a single-season franchise record.
Despite the historic occasion, the Japanese star nearly found himself at the centre of a severe hazard had it not been for the quick hands of the Dodgers batboy.
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A striking hit was sent towards the Dodgers dugout, with the ball on path to hit a waiting Ohanti who quickly turned to escape the situation.
Ohanti only had one man to thank for escaping the dangerous situation, as the quick hands of Dodgers batboy made a life-saving catch.
Earlier, Ohtani hit a leadoff drive against the Chicago White Sox for the second straight night on Thursday (AEST).
The two-time AL MVP is batting .310 (27 for 87) with 11 homers, 23 RBIs and 24 runs in 23 games this month.
“Really my approach is to swing at strikes and just making sure that my posture and everything else is lined up,” Ohtani said via a translator.
Ohtani’s latest tear has him contemplating another try at the Derby on July 16 (AEST) as part of the All-Star festivities at Globe Life Field in Texas. He last participated in 2021 in Denver, when he lost to Juan Soto in a memorable first-round showdown.
Asked by Japanese reporters about the Derby following Los Angeles’ 4-3 victory at Chicago on Wednesday morning (AEST), Ohtani expressed interest in the marquee event, but said he had to speak with the team about the possibility. A day later, he reiterated his thoughts.
“It hasn’t really changed much since yesterday,” Ohtani said after the 4-0 win over the White Sox.
“It’s something I have to talk to a lot of people about and make a decision.”
Ohtani, who turns 30 on July 5, is in his first season with the Dodgers after agreeing to a $1 billion, 10-year contract in December.
He isn’t going to pitch this year after he had major elbow surgery in September during his final season with the Angels – something that assuredly will come up during Derby discussions with his new team.
“The one side of it, for him to be in the Home Run Derby, it’s great for baseball, clearly,” manager Dave Roberts said.
“The other side of it, on the manager of the Dodgers side of it, you’re trying to be more cautious and appreciating the fact that there’s a lot more swings, higher intensity, you know, going through the rehab process with his elbow.
“But for me, personally, it’s just defaulting to the player and supporting Shohei in whatever he chooses.”
Ohtani connected on a full-count cut fastball from Erick Fedde on Thursday morning (AEST), sending the ball soaring over the fence in right-center for his NL-high 25th homer. The 437-foot drive had a 113.9 mph exit velocity.
It was Ohtani’s third leadoff homer this season and No. 9 for his career.
Ohtani also walked twice. He scored from first on Freddie Freeman’s two-run double to right in the third inning.
“He’s unbelievable. He’s a freak,” Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes said.