Friday, February 28, 2025
Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2025
The first night game of spring training for the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch. Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith made their Cactus League debut. Thanks to a Dalton Rushing’s walk-off double, the Dodgers defeated the Los Angeles Angels 6-to-5.
After breezing through the first inning, Dustin May didn’t make it out of the second, allowing a grand slam without recording an out. After missing almost two years, May might have a problem with stamina.
During his first at-bat, Shohei Ohtani homered to the opposite field in his Cactus League debut. This home run answered if his surgically repaired shoulder will affect his swing. No, it won’t. This spring training Ohtani has thrown a few bullpen sessions, and he has impressed. This upcoming season, Ohtani is determined to be a unicorn. If he can hit the way he did, anything that Ohtani can contribute from the mound is gravy.
Last season when Ohtani focused on the hitting only, he became the first player with at least fifty home runs and fifty stolen bases. He set the Dodger franchise record for the most home runs in a season with 54. Any time a player steals more than 40 bases is special. Ohtani stole 59 bases. In the 2024 season, Ohtani delivered when the Dodgers needed it most. Ohtani became the first player since Frank Robinson to win the MVP in both leagues.
Nobody knows what Ohtani will do in the 2025 season, but it will be special.
