Shohei Ohtani wins first career World Series

NEW YORK — As he went by means of his free-agency course of this winter, Shohei Ohtani laid out his preferences. He wished to affix a workforce that made him really feel snug, a company he may name residence the remainder of his profession.

However what Ohtani cared about most was becoming a member of a workforce that would assist him get to the place he hadn’t earlier than. Ohtani had by no means appeared in a postseason recreation. He wished to alter that instantly.

In his first season with the Dodgers, Ohtani achieved that. And after the Dodgers’ 7-6 win over the Yankees in Sport 5 of the World Collection, Ohtani can add yet one more feat to his already spectacular resume: World Collection champion.

“I’m honored to have the ability to be a part of a season the place we performed the longest, and to have the ability to get to know this workforce,” Ohtani stated by means of interpreter Will Ireton. “My first yr and expertise profitable a World Collection has been an amazing honor.”

It wasn’t the World Collection efficiency he hoped for, as he went simply 2-for-19 and suffered a left shoulder subluxation in Sport 2. Nonetheless, he was capable of change into simply the 14th participant to win each a World Collection and a Japan Collection.

“We have been capable of get by means of the common season, I feel, due to the power of this workforce, this group,” Ohtani stated. “And the success of the postseason is similar to how we have been capable of pull it off through the common season. Once more, the power of the group. Extraordinarily honored to be part of this.”

Even along with his modest manufacturing within the World Collection, the Dodgers wouldn’t have been on this scenario with out Ohtani’s contributions all year long. Because the Dodgers handled quite a few accidents all through the season, Ohtani was all the time the constant producer atop the lineup.

“Once you begin supporting a teammate in his first yr, like we did, for him to go on the market and have the best season, I feel, of all time,” stated Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman. “That’s fairly particular.”

“Six years within the States, arguably the very best participant within the massive leagues. So he dedicated to us, and he wished to play for a championship,” stated Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts. “For it to form of come to fruition in his first yr is fairly exceptional. What Shohei’s carried out to our ballclub, the Dodger fan base domestically, globally, I simply don’t suppose you possibly can quantify.”

As Ohtani celebrated within the Dodgers’ clubhouse on Wednesday, he advised president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman that he wished to participate within the champagne showers for the remaining 9 seasons of his present deal.

Subsequent season, Ohtani will not be rehabbing a second Tommy John surgical procedure and shall be again on the mound, making the Dodgers much more harmful. However no matter what occurs sooner or later, arguably the sport’s largest star shall be receiving his first World Collection ring subsequent March.

“For him to hoist that World Collection trophy,” Roberts stated. “That’s one thing he dreamed of, I’m certain, for fairly a while.”