Arguably the biggest news of the summer was former LA Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani joining crosstown rival LA Dodgers on a record setting 10 year, $700 million contract.
“I wish we resigned Shohei,” said junior Angels fan Tristan Shea, “but I’m glad he is playing well with the Dodgers and succeeding.”
In his first year as a Dodger, Ohtani has been worth every penny setting record after record, most notably the first 50-50 (50 home runs and 50 stolen bases) season in MLB history.
He has carried the Dodgers through both the regular season and the playoffs.
“It’s pretty amazing watching the Angels lose the greatest player ever and he wins a World Series first year with the Dodgers,” said junior Justin Whitehead.
“What Shohei has done this season is crazy to me, and I don’t think anybody else can ever have a 50-50 season besides Shohei if he does it again.”
The Dodgers began their playoff run against rival San Diego Padres. Sparked by a three-run home run from Ohtani, the Dodgers rallied to defeat the Padres in the first round after trailing 2-1 in the series.
They ultimately won the best-of-five series and then defeated the New York Mets in six games to advance to the World Series.
Ohtani’s Los Angeles Dodgers then defeated the New York Yankees in a World Series that showcased the two best players in MLB: Dodger’s Ohtani and the Yankees’ Aaron Judge.
The Dodgers’ first baseman Freddie Freeman, despite playing with a high ankle sprain and broken rib cartilage, persevered and was named World Series MVP.
He hit four home runs during the series, including a dramatic walk-off grand slam in Game 1.
This was a monumental moment for Los Angeles sports as it is the first championship in the city since the Rams won the Super Bowl in 2021.
Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler came into the game and closed out the 9th inning to win the World Series, sending the streets of Los Angeles into a frenzy with fans cheering and setting off fireworks throughout the night.
“It was a special moment, and it was extra nice to beat the Yankees since everyone hates the Yankees,” social science teacher Louis Harley said.
“Shohei Ohtani had an amazing season and not the best World Series, but he is a great guy, and will continue to be awesome for the Dodgers for years to come. I think this will be the first of many World Series we are going to win with Ohtani.”
Overall, the contributions of Ohtani are incomparable, cementing himself as a legend in the world of baseball despite having much of his career to play still.
With consistently solid players such as Ohtani and Freeman to return, sportsbooks have the Los Angeles Dodgers and favorites to repeat as World Champions.