Rafu Staff and Wire Service Reports
Threats of torrential rain weren’t going to dissuade throngs of Dodger fans from getting their first looks at their new star, the toast of the baseball world.
And the man of the hour did not disappoint.
A sell-out crowd of over 35,000 roared as Shohei Ohtani took the stage on Feb. 3 during DodgerFest, the annual fan service pep rally at the stadium.
“It’s my first time standing in front of all the Dodger fans with my Dodgers jersey on,” Ohtani said through interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. “It’s a great feeling and I can’t wait to start the season.”
This year, all of the $10 tickets – the event had been free in previous years – quickly sold out went they went on sale last month.
Ohtani said he is “very confident” of being the team’s designated hitter when they open the season on March 20 against the San Diego Padres in Seoul.
“We’re right on schedule,” Ohtani said. “As long as there are no setbacks going forward, I’ll be ready.”
The two-time American League MVP, who signed a $700 million, 10-year deal in December, said he has been hitting flips and off a tee. Ohtani plans to hit off a machine in batting practice and resume playing catch during spring training in Arizona.
The Dodgers have made big additions to their rotation this offseason, signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and James Paxton, as Ohtani will not be able to pitch in 2024 while recovering from a second right elbow surgery. Yamamoto was unable to attend the event.
Ohtani is expected to be in the top three of the batting order with Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, both former MVPs.
“It’s just having a conversation with those guys, and I don’t think we’re going to nail it from the outset,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It might happen, but I want Mookie, Freddie and Shohei to be part of the conversation.”
Roberts appeared to back up one of the principal reasons Ohtani decided to sign with L.A. as a free agent, after spending his first seven major league seasons down the 5 Freeway with the Angels in Anaheim.
“Shohei didn’t come here to not win a championship,” Roberts said. “Regardless of expectations, we have one goal in mind.”
“The only choice is win the World Series,” Ohtani said.
Roberts said Yamamoto has been a long-time Dodger fan, and being able to have added the Japanese star to the roster is a rare blessing for a manager.
“To see it come to pass … stuff like this doesn’t happen, but I’m glad it happened to the Dodgers,” he said.
Photos by MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS and JUN NAGATA / Rafu Shimpo