Already reigning champion champion and MLB’s biggest box office gross, the Los Angeles Dodgers have once again become the epicenter of the sport after two-way sense Shohei Ohtani announced that he will make his long-awaited pitching debut in Dodger Blue to the Sandy Go Padres.
Within minutes, the ripples tide. Ticket prices skyrocketed 174%, with Dodger Stadium’s lowest seats coming from $51 to an astounding $140, according to Tickpick data. And it’s just for the standing room. What if you want a view of Otani’s first pitch from outside the top deck? Split your credit card and call the banker.
The Dodger Stadium has already packed with fans and wide-eyed tourists who have already been scattered with sun most nights, making it a financially frenzy. By Monday morning, even a guided stadium tour (usually a $40 detour for baseball enthusiasts) had surged to over $200. As one tour guide named Tavi in Bluesky lamented on social media, “Prices go up, but they still earn the minimum wage.”
This is the power of Otani.
Shohei ohtani effect
Yesterday it was announced that Shohei will make his Dodgers’ long-awaited pitching debut tonight.
Since its announcement, it has sold three times the amount of previous tickets.
Get-in price also rose from $51 ➡️$134 pic.twitter.com/dux48wxcjr
– Tickpick (@tickpick) June 16, 2025
The two-way megastar is expected to pitch just one or two innings in the second year of his historic 10-year $700 million contract. However, Shohei’s one inning on the mound is worth nine from the others in the league, with fans paying accordingly.
It was a dream season at Otani’s plate, leading the National League with 25 home runs and 1.035 OPS. He cuts down .297/.393/.642 and transforms all trips to the batter’s box into a must-see television. Now he’s even more unusual with gloves on his left hand and a ball on his right. Once again, it’s a true baseball unicorn.
For Dodgers fans, Monday night offered something they had never seen before – pitcher otani is blue.
They won the World Series last October without him taking the mound. The 43-29 Dodgers are currently leading the NL West, and the ceiling is high as their two-way wonders finally cleared the throw.
“He’s ready to pitch in a major league game,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday evening after a 5-4 victory over the Giants. “He made us know that.”
Otani’s body spoke. The Dodgers asked. And Los Angeles – the city chasing this star – responded with an open wallet and a rabies prediction.
It’s not just games anymore. It’s just a moment. Flash bulb night under the lights of the Chavez Valley. For all the fans who fired triple girders cash for a nosebleed seat or $20 Michelada, this was more than baseball. It was history.
Even if it’s just for a few innings. Even if it’s for tonight.
Because when Shohei ohtani pitches, the world is watching. And in Los Angeles, it pays a lot for the experience.
