When Shohai Otani stepped onto the mound at Dodger Stadium on Monday night, it was more than just a moment more than just an average opener, it was history, and the only comparison of MLB history was the return of the Unicorn, Babe Ruth.
The stadium was bustling with electricity, with almost all the fans sitting in their seats in front of the first pitch. That’s something we haven’t seen since Game 1 of the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees.
The camera was clicked, hearts smashed, and 56,000 sold-out fans packed the Chavez valley stands, holding their breath as it was the first 663 days since August 23, 2023.
Otani’s debut wasn’t perfect, but it could have been even worse. After not pitching for nearly two years, the Japanese right-hander clearly showed signs of rust and lack of command in the first big league action of the season.
Otani threw 28 pitches in the first innings, throwing with 16 strikes and 12 balls.
The first batter he faced was Fernando Tatis Jr., and after filling the count, the Padres leadoff man hit a bloop single into center field with Otani’s 99 mph fastball.
One throw, Otani’s pitch went backstop, allowing Tatis Jr. to advance to second place. Luis Arraez eventually hit a single to center field and put the runner into the corner without an out.
But Otani has come out of the jam. He hit Machado with a sack fly and hit the center who won Tatis Jr. with a bang play on the plate.
He grounded Xander Bogartos to 3 base to finish the inning after getting a ground out from Gavin sheet thanks to Tommy Edman’s lovely diving play on second base.
Otani’s final line was one pitch, with two hits, one acquisition, one run and one hit without strikeouts. His fastest pitch of the night reached a whopping 100 miles of triple digits. This is a good indication that Ohatani has fully recovered from his second Tommy John surgery.
Only one inning. But this wasn’t about numbers. This was about someone who does something no one else living can do. The surgically rebuilt two-way superstar has returned from his second Tommy John surgery, and the weight of the city on his shoulders, and undoubtedly the entire baseball world.
He led the bottom of the first innings and opposed the padres ace Dylan halt.
It was within 24 hours of the Dodgers dropping the bomb. Otani will pitch on Monday. Within minutes, ticket prices exploded in the secondary market. The $30 bleachers seating has now become a $300 golden ticket. The parking lot is filled quickly. The batting practice was a full house event. Even the Padres stopped to watch him warm up.
The outcome was not perfect, but if he suspected his health, his orders, his preparations were midway, like a microphone drop at the center stage. This wasn’t just a warm-up inning. It was a statement. The Dodgers’ $700 million man showed that he still has something to turn the All-Star into a punchline, even after nearly two years off the mound, even after two Tommy Johns.
Otani’s return marks a new chapter not only for him, but for fans around the world, as well as for Dodgers, Major League Baseball and fans around the world. His presence on the mound and plate brings different gravity to the game. It feels like you’re witnessing something impossible. It’s like watching Da Vinci’s paint with both hands at once.
He has not returned to perfection yet. It takes patience as he builds back to full strength. Start once at a time, once at a time. But what he gave us on Monday night was a glimpse of the magic. Reminder. promise.
Shohei ohtani is again a pitcher.
And the world has become a little more fun.
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