Shohei Ohtani is one of those who arrived early at Dodgers training camp. He wanted to familiarize himself with his new teammates, but also find new benchmarks within a new organization.
The reunion between the Japanese phenomenon and his new team does not go unnoticed because the Dodgers, who have been accumulating victories for several years, welcome the most talented player in the Majors at the moment.
However, it is not the dollars invested or the statistics that have captured the attention so far, but rather the personality of the multi-talented player.
Ohtani, influenced by his culture, finds it important to introduce himself to his teammates and coaches and takes the time to chat with them in order to get to know them better.
With all the spotlight on him, it would be easy for Ohtani to play Super starbut it is rather his modesty that strikes the first people he meets in Arizona in recent days.
Obviously, Ohtani must have the support of his translator in order to establish relationships, but it will be easier for him to communicate with another newcomer, Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The relationship between the two athletes will not be favored because Shohei Ohtani wants to be in synergy with all of his teammates and not just Yamamoto.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts likes what he's seeing so far because he doesn't want to give his star player preferential treatment and Ohtani being proactive and reaching out to his teammates will make his adjustment much easier. .
For his part, Gavin Lux is impressed by the stature of the athlete, but above all by the human being.
Moreover, Ohtani appreciated the time he spent at Dodger Stadium with Lux and Walker Buehler, among others. Several members of the team had the opportunity to meet there before heading to Arizona.
Having arrived in America a few years ago, Ohtani could have become a haughty character whose success has gone to his head, but he remained faithful to his origins and Japanese values. Despite the fact that he is now at the heart of a locker room filled with stars, don't expect to see him become someone else.
In the coming days, he will have the opportunity to meet Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and company with the arrival of position players at Dodgers camp. Great encounters to be expected and great connections to be made over time.
A baseball season is long, so you might as well create harmony around yourself in order to promote collective success. The Dodgers have had some success in the regular season for a few years, but things went south in the playoffs. The organization and Dave Roberts at the top are crossing their fingers that Shohei Ohtani becomes the one through whom the next big victories come.
For the moment, the Japanese is working to breathe a sense of zenitude and good relationships into his new environment. The rest will come from the first days of the regular season.
