Shohei Ohtani drops bold 1-word reaction in English to experiencing pressure in first MLB postseason
Shohei Ohtani gave a bold one-word answer when asked if he was nervous about entering his first-ever MLB postseason. His response? "No."
This simple, yet confident reply during a press conference caught reporters by surprise, showing Ohtani’s growing comfort with the English language, but more importantly, it showed the MVP frontrunner’s readiness as he prepares to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLDS against the San Diego Padres.
Ohtani’s postseason debut has been highly anticipated, especially after years of missing out on October baseball while with the Los Angeles Angels.
Now, as a Dodger, Ohtani is not just a key player but the centerpiece of a lineup expected to go deep into the playoffs. Despite a lot of expectation, Ohtani’s calm attitude proves that he is well-prepared to deliver under pressure.
Earlier in the press conference, he noted through an interpreter that his excitement outweighed any potential nerves, noting that playing in a game of this magnitude had always been his dream.
Shohei Ohtani proved his importance to the Dodgers in September
Shohei Ohtani’s performance over the last stretch of the regular season was nothing short of historic. He became the first player in MLB history to reach the 50-50 club, by hitting a minimum of 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases (54-59).
His clutch hitting in September, with a .393 batting average, 42 hits, 10 home runs, and 27 RBI in 26 games, shows his readiness for the postseason.
While postseason baseball brings a unique level of pressure, Shohei Ohtani has previously shown his calm during important games, having won the World Baseball Classic with Japan in 2023, both as a hitter and pitcher.
His calm answer suggests he is more than ready for the challenge ahead, reminding fans and opponents alike that he isn’t fazed by the bright lights of the biggest stage.