Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani on Showing Emotion: ‘It’s an Important Part of the Game’

During Game 4 of the National League Division Series between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles designated hitter Shohei Ohtani was seen in a heated display of emotion. An umpire had gotten in the way of a hit from Teoscar Hernández that likely would have traveled past Padres’ third baseman Manny Machado. Because of the interference, Machado threw Ohtani out, preventing him from scoring an additional run.

Ohtani watched the replay after the play and was seen heatedly expressing his frustration at the umpire’s move that cost the Dodgers another run.

The moment stood out as Ohtani is not known for outwardly showing a lot of emotion but playing in his first-ever MLB postseason series seems to have brought out a greater level of competitiveness and emotion in him. Not just in a bad way, though.

Ohtani has had plenty of big hits, and is always showing emotion, pumping up both himself and his teammates. With the stakes as high as ever for his MLB career, he’s letting out even more emotion than usual.

“I’m not surprised by it,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “I do think it’s part of who I am as well, obviously being respectful and mindful of the opponent. I think it’s an important part of the game.”

“Playing a regular season game and playing a playoff game is different,” Ohtani said. “And I think a lot of players end up playing with showing their emotions. So I feel like I’m part of that.”

Ohtani’s display of emotion is not necessarily as surprising to the team around him, either.

“When he sees people having fun, enjoying themselves in moments — I think we’ve seen more of that over the course of the season — I think that’s a good thing for him because it’s honest,” Dave Roberts said, via Yahoo Sports.

“This guy is not just a robot. He’s a real person who has emotions. So I think this is good for everybody.”

The Dodgers would end up winning Game 4 and then Game 5 two days later, sealing Ohtani’s first trip to the NLCS. The emotion showed on Ohtani’s face even more as he won his first-ever MLB postseason series on Friday, sealing their trip to the NLCS.

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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