Coming into the 2024 season, Shohei Ohtani had just about every major accomplishment an MLB player could want, besides one: a World Series win.
The superstar finally has his first championship after the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 on Wednesday.
Following the milestone, Ohtani and his teammates celebrated accordingly, as beer and champagne flowed in the locker room.
Shohei Ohtani celebrates his first World Series title ðū pic.twitter.com/L7tPc8Mgvb
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 31, 2024
"They're just getting started. Don't forget, Shohei Ohtani will be pitching next year. They have a core coming back, they have incredible resources"@AROD talks about why this could just be the beginning for the Dodgers pic.twitter.com/wOUWBUkzph
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 31, 2024
Ohtani spent his first six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels and didn’t reach the postseason once. This offseason, the Dodgers handed him a historic 10-year, $700 million contract in hopes he could lead the organization to its eighth World Series title.
It took him just one season to bring another championship to Los Angeles.
Ohtani had a season for the history books, racking up 54 home runs and 130 RBI with a .310 batting average to go along with his 59 stolen bases to lead the Dodgers to the best record in baseball (98-64).
His numbers tapered off in the postseason, but he did enough to help Los Angeles take down the Yankees.
Ohtani has four All-Stars, a pair of Silver Slugger Awards and two MVPs, and he’ll more than likely earn another MVP this year. Now, he’s a world champion and is only looking to continue leaving his mark on baseball.
What’s more, Ohtani will be back on the mound in 2025. He couldn’t pitch in 2024 while recovering from elbow surgery, but is expected to return to pitching next season, adding just another weapon to the Dodgers rotation.