Shohei Ohtani’s first game as a Dodger was a success. The atmosphere at the Gocheok Sky Dome was electric on Wednesday, with the pregame concert on the field setting the tone for the rest of the night. The cheerleaders kept the energy going throughout the game and in-between innings, dancing and starting chants. However, even in an atmosphere as loud as the one the Dodgers and Padres played in front of, the sound from the crowd was different any time Shohei Ohtani was announced. The anticipation as he took the plate in all five of his at-bats was palpable; even his foul balls drew the loudest reactions in Los Angeles’ stunning 5-2 victory.
On Wednesday, baseball fans around the world have been waiting ever since Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million deal this winter with the Dodgers. East Coasters set alarms at 6 a.m. to not only welcome the baseball season but also watch Ohtani wear Dodger Blue for the first time in his career. Ohtani’s first game as a Dodger was a success, as the two-time unanimous American League Most Valuable Player went 2-for-5 with an RBI single and stole base in the season-opening win. Ohtani’s first at-bat as a Dodger ended in a fielder’s choice after Mookie Betts drew a walk to start the frame.
His second at bat was the most impressive, and one the Dodgers will point to if Ohtani goes on a dominant run at the plate. On the third pitch of the at bat, Padres right-hander Yu Darvish tried to sneak a 1-1 cutter inside to Ohtani. Instead, Ohtani cleared his hips and pulled a well-called foul down the right-field line.The exit velocity on that swing was clocked at 119.2 mph off the bat, easily the hardest-hit ball in the game.
Two pitches later, Ohtani smoked a single, his first with Los Angeles, to right field off Darvish with an exit velocity of 112.3 mph, the hardest-hit ball put in play on Wednesday. In addition to making his Dodgers debut, Ohtani enjoyed facing Darvish for the first time in his career. The Dodgers’ night ultimately ended with an RBI single in the Dodgers’ four-run eighth inning. In South Korea, the top billing belongs to Padres shortstop Kim Ha-seong, who garnered the biggest cheers from the crowd. The Korean star garnered the biggest cheers from the crowd, and the San Diego team was clearly the home team.