In an exhilarating turn of events, the Los Angeles Dodgers secured the NL West title with a decisive 7-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Thursday night. This game also marked a significant milestone for Shohei Ohtani, as it was his first postseason appearance in his seven-year MLB career. After spending six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels without experiencing the playoffs, Ohtani joined the Dodgers and made an immediate impact, going 3 for 5 at the plate, driving in one run, and scoring another.
“This is something I really wanted to achieve today, and I’m just glad we did it,” Ohtani said through an interpreter, his words punctuated by the sounds of celebration as he emerged from the locker room, completely drenched in champagne. The excitement in the room was electric, especially as the Dodgers exploded for five runs in the seventh inning, turning the game on its head against the Padres.
Despite the joy of the moment, Ohtani experienced a rookie blunder during the revelry by forgetting to wear goggles, leading to red, stinging eyes. “It stung a little bit in my eyes,” he chuckled, clearly enjoying the chaotic celebration that surrounded him. “It was an awesome feeling, and I’m hoping to continue popping more champagne.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn’t hold back in praising Ohtani’s critical role on the team. “Shohei was showered with champagne. He’s going to smell like a brewery for the next week. This is what he signed up for, and he has been remarkable all season,” he said, highlighting the significant impact the star player has made throughout the year.
This season, Ohtani has already etched his name in the record books, becoming the first player to achieve 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season, further solidifying his incredible legacy. He also reached 400 total bases for the first time—a milestone that hadn’t been seen since 2001. The celebration took place in front of a sellout crowd of 52,433 at Dodger Stadium, a vibrant contrast to the cardboard cutouts that populated the stands during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Catcher Will Smith shared his thoughts on the team’s perseverance and unity, wearing a T-shirt that boldly stated, “We Own the West.” He played a crucial role in the game as well, hitting a two-run homer that tied the game after the Dodgers found themselves down 2-0. “Just a lot of fight by these guys,” he remarked, reflecting on the team’s tenacity.
As the Dodgers prepare for the playoffs starting October 5, they have some time to recuperate, particularly All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman, who suffered an ankle injury during the game. “It’s total chaos, which is exactly how it should be, and it never gets old,” said general manager Brandon Gomes, echoing the night’s jubilant atmosphere.
With their 11th division title in the last 12 seasons secured and a first-round bye in the postseason, the Dodgers are now focused on extending their success in October. They will head to Colorado for a final three-game series to conclude the regular season.
