Coming into the ultimate sequence of the common season towards the Colorado Rockies, Shohei Ohtani had already secured the most effective offensive season in Los Angeles historical past.
And whereas his bid for the Nationwide League Triple Crown, his consistency all through the season set the tone early and infrequently for the .
“Initially, I believe crucial a part of all that is that I used to be in a position to play persistently all through the entire 12 months,” Ohtani mentioned by interpreter Will Ireton. “I’m very grateful and grateful for all of the workers who supported me all through this 12 months.”
Ohtani stored issues thrilling proper as much as the tip of the common season with certainly one of his most spectacular stretches. His single within the eighth inning on Sunday prolonged his hitting streak to 12 video games, throughout which he went 29-for-53 (.547), hit seven house runs, drove in 22 runs, and stole 11 bases. He struck out solely 9 instances throughout this run.
Ohtani entered the season with excessive expectations after signing a large 10-year, $700 million contract, and he delivered by setting profession bests in house runs (54), RBIs (130), stolen bases (59), complete bases (411), and hits (197).
“You’ve seen a celebrity,” mentioned supervisor Dave Roberts. “I believe the factor that I marvel at is the expectations which can be placed on him, that he places on himself, and to nonetheless go on the market each day and placed on a present. I can’t think about the strain with all these expectations. However his preparedness, his work, may be very, very centered.”
Ohtani didn’t change his method when he moved to the highest of the lineup when Mookie Betts went on the injured listing and he didn’t change something when Betts got here again. He has stayed true to himself all through the season.
“I haven’t actually modified my method,” Ohtani mentioned. “Not essentially making an attempt to get base hits, nevertheless it’s all the time about bettering my high quality of at-bats. I assumed that I used to be in a position to improve and higher my high quality of at-bats later.”
As he prepares for his postseason debut there is just one factor on his thoughts.
“I’m going to be centered on sustaining the place I’m and ensuring that I’m centered all through.”
Photograph Credit score: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports activities
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