WATCH: Heartwarming moment as Shohei Ohtani surprises pediatric patient on his bobblehead night with first pitch and game tickets
On Thursday, Shohei Ohtani will take the plate against the Cincinnati Reds. The first 40,000 fans to enter the stadium will get his bobbleheads and 1,700 will get special road gray Ohtani bobbleheads. The atmosphere at Chavez Ravine is palpable and one can understand, given it's his first giveaway.
Ahead of his bobblehead night, Ohtani made a heartfelt gesture for a young fan. Albert, a pediatric patient at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, received suit tickets to Thursday's game. Moreover, he will also be throwing the ceremonial pitch.
During the pregame presser, Albert was invited to meet Shohei Ohtani, who then gifted him his Dodgers jersey and the first bobblehead of the night. Albert was surprised when Ohtani told him that he was going to throw the first pitch tonight. Ohtani posed with the rest of the young fans before leaving the presser.
Ohtani inked a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers earlier this offseason. Since then, his presence has only attracted fans to the Dodgers, especially the Asian contingent.
Shohei Ohtani's bobblehead night creates traffic and stir among fans
Fans turned up in huge numbers outside Dodger Stadium as they gathered to be the first 40,000 lucky ones to get a free Shohei Ohtani bobblehead.
Two hours prior to the game, traffic ensued at Chavez Ravine and fans gathered on the sidewalk, joining the huge line even before the gates were opened.
Per Informnny, the Ohtani bobblehead was listed for $150 or more on eBay. One was advertised on eBay for $999.99. Game tickets on StubHub ranged from $168 to $388, including fees.
“Shohei creates a stir,” manager Dave Roberts said before the game (via Informnny). “I can’t imagine what it’s like outside. It’s great for Shohei and it’s good for the Dodgers. It’s going to be a hot ticket item. The more I see him every day the more I realize how special of a person and a ballplayer he is.”
Each Dodgers player's locker was presented with a bobblehead ahead of the game. This was the first of the three nights where the Dodgers will give away Shohei Ohtani's bobbleheads.