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SEOUL – From start to finish, the atmosphere at the Gocheok Sky Dome was electric on Wednesday. The pre-game concert on the field set the tone for the rest of the night. The cheerleaders kept that energy up throughout the game and between innings, dancing and singing opening chants.
But even in an atmosphere as rowdy as the one the Dodgers and Padres played in, the sound of the crowd was different at any time. Shohei Ohtani It was announced. The anticipation when he stepped up to the plate in his five at-bats was palpable. Even his mistakes provoked the strongest reactions in Los Angeles. impressive 5-2 victory.
Wednesday marked the event that baseball fans around the world have been waiting for since Ohtani signed a contract. Contract for 10 years and 700 million dollars this winter with the Dodgers. The East Coasters set their alarms at 6 a.m. to not only welcome baseball season, but also to see Ohtani wear Dodger Blue for the first time in his career. Fans in Los Angeles finally realized that Ohtani will be a Dodger for the next decade.
And Ohtani’s first game as a Dodger was a success, as the two-time unanimous American League MVP went 2-for-5 with an RBI single and a stolen base in the season-opening victory.
“I’m not as nervous when I hit as I am when I pitch. So I was able to be relaxed at the plate,” Ohtani said through interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. “The most important thing is that we got that ‘W’ and the way we got it, coming back late in the game… that shows we’re a really good team.”
Ohtani’s first at-bat as a Dodger ended on a fielder’s choice after Mookie Betts walked to start the inning. Ohtani showed off his speed by running down the first base line, beating the throw into what likely would have been a double play for most hitters.
His second at-bat was his most impressive and one the Dodgers will highlight if Ohtani puts together a dominant run at the plate. On the third pitch of the at-bat, Padres right-hander Yu Darvish attempted to sneak a 1-1 cutter to Ohtani. Instead, Ohtani cleared his hips and threw well down the right field line.
However, it wasn’t just a routine foul. It provoked the strongest reaction in the game, and for good reason. The exit velocity on that swing was recorded at 119.2 mph off the bat, easily the hardest-hit ball in the game. Two pitches later, Ohtani singled, his first with Los Angeles, to right field off Darvish with an exit velocity of 112.3 mph, the hardest-hit ball put into play Wednesday.
“Sometimes with hitters, one swing gets you back,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “In the spring, he took some hits. But I really feel like in one swing where he fouled in the air, he really made a good swing and that spilled over into that at-bat where he lined a ball to right field for a hit and had another big hit. late in the game. game. Just an overall good night from Shohei.”
In addition to making his Dodgers debut, Ohtani also enjoyed facing Darvish for the first time in his career. The two superstars of Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic have known each other since their days in Japan. Ohtani’s night finally ended with an RBI single in the Dodgers’ four-run eighth inning.
“Watching the game, I got an out from him and he got a hit from me,” Darvish said. “Maybe it worked out well for both of us, I guess.”
As I walked the concourse of the Gocheok Sky Dome on Wednesday, the vast majority of jerseys worn by the fans in attendance were Ohtani’s No. 17 jerseys. Even on a team full of stars, Ohtani continues to attract the most attention.
On the field, ShoTime finally arrived for Ohtani and the Dodgers.
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