On the morning of the ’ regular-season finale final week, Ohtani’s laughter lower by way of the standard pregame chatter within the sleepy clubhouse.
Simply minutes later, Ohtani’s focus turned to pregame preparations.
Seated subsequent to first base coach Clayton McCullough, he intently examined an iPad displaying the scouting report for that day’s pitcher, strategizing his strategy for making an attempt to steal a base.
He actually desires to win.
“Everyone says he’s sort of a non-public man, however inside the clubhouse and inside our guys, he’s been superior,” pitcher Clayton Kershaw stated. “You may clearly see how a lot he cares about successful.”
A light-weight-hearted second after which completely centered. That’s what Ohtani’s teammates have discovered to understand about him in his first season with the group.
“[He can] be goofy and playful and appear like he’s actually having enjoyable enjoying the sport,” stated veteran utilityman Chris Taylor. “However then additionally on the similar time be tremendous centered and locked in.”
“He’s fairly severe,” catcher Austin Barnes echoed. “However he can joke and fiddle, too. He makes me snort.”
“He does an amazing job of getting a childlike pleasure towards the sport,” added reliever Blake Treinen, “however enjoying it like a grown man.”
“He’s nearly like a bit child, trapped in an enormous physique,” Kiké Hernández defined. “He doesn’t essentially all the time present it. However I used to be stunned by how a lot character he has.”
Ohtani has definitely exceeded expectations on the sector this season, seemingly on observe to win his third Most Useful Participant award with spectacular stats that embrace 54 residence runs, 59 stolen bases, a .310 batting common, and 130 RBIs, all whereas enjoying for a group that’s headed into postseason motion on Saturday.
Saturday additionally marks his postseason debut and the most effective remedy for any sort of nerves is a few light-hearted laughter.
Ohtani has been hit with one factor after one other but he nonetheless rises to the event. His vitality is contagious and can hopefully gasoline the to a couple postseason victories this 12 months.
“He actually, actually desires to [win] and will get enthusiastic about the potential for postseason stuff, which is superior,” Kershaw stated. “[We] sort of feed off the vitality, for certain, with our membership.”
Photograph Credit score: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Pictures
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