Baseball’s two-way celebrity is again.
For the primary time in 22 months, and 18 months after signing a $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani was in a position to do what makes him such an anomaly amongst large leaguers: pitch.
Ohtani made his extremely anticipated Dodgers pitching debut in Monday night time’s 6-3 win over the San Diego Padres.
“I’m joyful and glad to be again,” stated Ohtani, who on the plate singled, doubled and drove in a pair of runs, elevating his batting common to .300 on the 12 months.
The three-time MVP hasn’t pitched since August 2023, when he was nonetheless a member of the Los Angeles Angels, however regarded energetic in his return.
Ohtani threw 28 pitches — 16 for strikes — within the first inning because the sellout crowd of 53,207 held on each one. He gave up a pair of two-strike hits and a run. Regardless of his prolonged pitching absence, the Dodgers’ right-hander flashed his overpowering pitching arsenal and even touched triple digits.
The Japanese-born star topped out at 100.2 mph — the second-hardest pitch thrown by a Dodgers hurler this season — and averaged 99.1 mph on 9 four-seam fastballs in his 2025 pitching debut.
“I used to be aiming to sit down 95-96,” Ohtani stated by means of a translator, “however the sport depth actually allowed me to throw a bit more durable.”
It is not typically that the Nationwide League chief in house runs toes the rubber for his workforce, however that is exactly what Ohtani did on Monday — and what makes him baseball’s uniquely gifted unicorn.
At the same time as he approaches 90 profession begins, Ohtani’s two-way prowess continues to be as mind-boggling as ever.
Final 12 months, the four-time All-Star loved a season for the ages, mashing 54 house runs whereas swiping 59 stolen bases to turn into the primary MLB participant to attain a 50/50 season.
Ohtani additionally helped the Dodgers to their second World Sequence title this decade in 2024.
Now, the generational two-way participant has the prospect to carry out on each side of the diamond, which is one thing baseball followers should not take without any consideration.
What Ohtani is conducting within the majors is not simply historic, it is groundbreaking. Numerous Corridor of Famers have filtered by means of the majors, however none have dominated fairly like Ohtani.
He’s basically a hybrid of Albert Pujols and Greg Maddux, and his excellence on the sector can’t be overstated.
Earlier than Ohtani, it was unthinkable to check a participant slugging 50+ homers in a season whereas moonlighting as a Cy Younger award candidate.
May you think about Ken Griffey Jr. tossing seven shutout innings? Or Pedro Martinez mashing 50 house runs?
These virtually really feel like fantasy situations, however, amazingly, that is the extent of output {that a} wholesome Ohtani presents.
His expertise is not like something ever seen earlier than, and it is doable that nothing ever comes near it.
Baseball followers ought to cherish the chance to witness Ohtani’s historic monitor firsthand. A long time and maybe centuries from now, his seismic imprint on baseball will nonetheless draw reward, and people lucky sufficient to see him play dwell ought to treasure that have.
