WATCH: Shohei Ohtani fever grips LA as interviewers make frantic sprint to catch Dodgers superstar before World Series vs Yankees
The 2024 World Series is poised to be one of the biggest sporting events in recent times. The Los Angeles Dodgers will take on the New York Yankees in the Fall Classic with the series opener on Friday night. The showcase encounter has been truly made global due to the presence of Shohei Ohtani who will look to win his first title in his first season in LA Blue.
On Thursday, players and coaching staff from both teams made their way to Dodger Stadium for a media scrum. Each player was seated at a table and reporters surrounded them to ask questions. A viral video from the day showed reporters swarming Shohei as soon as he arrived.
While being asked questions regarding the upcoming encounter, Ohtani acknowledged something.
“I’m hoping,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Irenton, “that there will be a lot of people watching the game.”
Other major stars including Aaron Judge received a similar reception from the media. Pictures showed a huge crowd of journalists waiting to get two cents from the Yankees captain.
Dave Roberts confirms that Shohei Ohtani won't be pitching in the World Series
There was speculation that Shohei Ohtani might not take the mound at the World Series. The Dodgers superstar hasn't shown his two-way prowess this season because of his second elbow surgery in the offseason. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that the generational player won't be pitching.
"There is no possibility," Roberts told reporters. "Thank you for asking."
Even Ohtani confirmed he didn't inform the Dodgers staff about wanting to pitch this postseason.
“I've never said to them that I wanted to pitch in the postseason,” he said through Ireton.
The Dodgers remain short-staffed in the pitching department with only Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler and some relievers to see them through. Los Angeles has had to make do with bullpen games as many of its starting pitchers are sidelined due to injury.