Saturday, August 24, 2024
Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2024
Shohei Ohtani became a member of the 40 stolen bases and 40 home runs club Friday. With his customary flare, his fortieth home run was a walk-off grand slam.
I didn’t think the Dodgers should have spent $700 million for ten years for one player who has had two Tommy John surgeries. I was wrong! Ohtani is the best power hitter that the Dodgers ever had. Mike Piazza was great for his era and his catching position. Ohtani should hit 50 home runs this season.
The Dodgers have never had a player with fifty home runs. When Shawn Green and Adrian Beltré had 49 home runs, it was a big deal. Now the Dodgers have a legitimate power hitter in Ohtani.
The offensive production that Ohtani brings to the Dodgers is incredible and what they needed for many years. If Ohtani doesn’t pitch for the Dodgers, he is worth $700 million for ten years.
Ohtani has incredible baseball athletic skills, but he uses his mental skills to get better at baseball. This season he understands he couldn’t pitch, so he wanted to contribute to his new team more than his hitting ability.
Ohtani began studying base stealing; after all, he has incredible speed for a big man. He learned about pitchers’ moves enabling his great success at base stealing. He understood if he could be more aggressive on the base paths, he could help the Dodgers win and go to the postseason to have a chance to win a world championship, which is Ohtani’s goal.
While doing this incredible feat, the fastest in the major leagues, Ohtani is rehabbing from his second Tommy John surgery. His rehabilitation has been doing well, and the Dodgers and Ohtani expect to pitch in the 2025 season.
What the Dodgers and Dodger fans are witnessing with Ohtani is historic. We should cherish every moment of Shohei Ohtani.
