Ohtani wins 1st World Series title with Dodgers
Shohei Ohtani won his first World Series title as the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied to beat the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 on Wednesday.
It was the Dodgers’ first World Series championship since 2020 and eighth in franchise history.
Aaron Judge hit the first of New York’s three home runs of the night as the Yankees built a 5-0 lead through the first three innings.
Los Angeles Dodgers players celebrate after clinching the MLB World Series with a 7-6 win over the New York Yankees in Game 5 on Oct. 30, 2024, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
But the Dodgers took advantage of the Yankees’ defensive miscues to score five runs in the fifth to tie the game at 5. Gavin Lux and Mookie Betts each hit sacrifice flies in the eighth to give the Dodgers the lead for good at Yankee Stadium.
“I’m so happy with this great ending to the season,” Ohtani said. “My teammates are great as players and as people. So many people came all the way to see our games, and I’m thankful for that.”
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees hits a two-run home run off Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty in the first inning of Game 5 of the MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium in New York on Oct. 30, 2024. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
The two-way Japanese star, who suffered a left shoulder subluxation when he was caught stealing in Game 2, went hitless in four at-bats and finished the series without an RBI.
“Even after I got injured, I wanted to be ready to play,” Ohtani said. “I’m honored that the team asked me to keep playing.”
The Dodgers and Yankees, the former neighbors and rivals, faced off in the World Series for the first time in 43 years.
Ohtani celebrated with fellow “Big Three” members Betts and Freddie Freeman, as well as Japanese teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who joined the Dodgers on a $325-million, 12-year contract, making him the highest-paid pitcher in Major League Baseball history.
Yamamoto was Game 2’s winning pitcher after allowing just one hit, a solo home run to Juan Soto, over 6-1/3 innings.
Freeman was named World Series MVP as he became the first player in history to homer in six consecutive World Series games, dating back to his trip to the Fall Classic with the Atlanta Braves in 2021.
Asked to comment on his wife’s support, Ohtani said, “I’m used to the long baseball season, but she’s not. I’m truly grateful for her supporting me.”
Ohtani announced his marriage in an Instagram post at the end of February, just weeks before the team’s season-opening trip to Seoul.
Prior to Game 5, former Yankees outfielder and 2009 World Series MVP Hideki Matsui threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Ohtani signed a $700-million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers last December, the largest contract in world sports history.
On Sept. 19, Ohtani became the first MLB player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.
Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani flies out in the third inning of Game 5 of the MLB World Series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York on Oct. 30, 2024. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani strikes out swinging against New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole in the fifth inning of Game 5 of the MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium in New York on Oct. 30, 2024. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole gets Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani to fly out in the first inning of Game 5 of the MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium in New York on Oct. 30, 2024. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Shohei Ohtani (2nd from R) of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates as the team clinches the World Series with a 7-6 win over the New York Yankees in Game 5 at Yankee Stadium in New York on Oct. 30, 2024. (Kyodo)
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