LOS ANGELES — One of the best parts about sports is that it blends emotions with the rigors of competition. The MLB postseason has a way of concentrating the entire emotional experience into its most intense form.
For the first time in his career, Shohei Ohtani is getting to feel the playoff atmosphere and the big moments that come with it. And following his no-doubt homer in Game 1 of the NLDS against the San Diego Padres, Ohtani put those emotions on full display. Tossing his bat in excitement and watching in admiration before letting out a scream as he began his trot, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ superstar let the world know he had arrived in the playoffs.
Ohtani’s emotional investment was also on display in Wednesday’s series-tying 8-0 victory, when the Japanese superstar, in a moment widely circulated on social media, appeared to take umbrage with an umpire’s interference with a fair ball.
Shohei Ohtani was HEATED after watching the replay of the third base umpire getting in the way of Teo’s hit.
He likely cost another easy run for the Dodgers.
You don’t see Ohtani get mad often…
pic.twitter.com/78T1koCIzR— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) October 10, 2024
“I totally forgot about it,” Ohtani told reporters via an interpreter when asked about the moment on Thursday. The response drew laughter.
The postseason — which for the Dodgers has extended to a Game 5 on Friday at Dodger Stadium — isn’t the first time this year that Ohtani has let his emotions show in big moments. In fact, throughout this season, he has been increasingly demonstrative. That perhaps shouldn’t be surprising, given that his first year with the Dodgers has granted him more big moments than years prior and in front of a much larger audience.
“Playing a regular-season game and playing a playoff game is different,” Ohtani said via an interpreter. “And I think a lot of players end up playing with [and] showing their emotions. So I feel like I’m part of that.”
Ohtani hasn’t always been one to emote on or around the diamond. During his six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, even as he was transforming into the world’s best player, he stayed reserved in his reactions and kept his emotions close to the vest.
The beginning of this shift for Ohtani happened during last year’s World Baseball Classic. In what felt like a postseason environment, Ohtani —…