Dodgers NLCS MVP Shohei Ohtani joins Hall of Famer George Brett in exclusive postseason club

Hunter Cookston

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Dodgers NLCS MVP Shohei Ohtani joins Hall of Famer George Brett in exclusive postseason club image

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ superstar Shohei Ohtani had not been performing up to his usual postseason standards. In fact, he was going through the worst slump of his career. Heading into the NLCS, manager Dave Roberts sent a clear message to Ohtani.

“Certainly, whatever opponent we face, they’re gonna try to put as many lefties on Shohei,” Roberts said. “But hoping that he can do a little self-reflecting on that series. And how aggressive he was outside of the strike zone, passive in the zone — just the at-bat quality needs to get better. We’re counting on a recalibration, getting back into the strike zone and understanding when he faces left-handed pitching what they’re gonna try to do.”

Ohtani waited until Game 4 to make his statement — and then he exploded at the plate and on the mound. His performance will likely go down in the record books as one of the greatest postseason performances in history.

“Shohei Ohtani homered. Again. Dead center off Trevor Megill. He has three home runs tonight. He threw 6.1 shutout innings and struck out 10. This is one of the greatest individual performances in postseason history,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan posted.

Ohtani shattered records both on the mound and at the plate, joining elite company in MLB history. He accomplished something only George Brett had done before — and being mentioned alongside one of the game’s all-time greats is truly special.

“Shohei Ohtani is the second player in MLB postseason history to hit three home runs from the leadoff spot, joining George Brett, who did so at the Yankees in Game 3 of the 1978 ALCS,” Opta Stats posted.

Ohtani continues to make history nearly every time he steps on the field. After enduring a brutal slump, he’s heating up at the perfect moment.

His Game 4 performance has sent a warning to whoever faces Los Angeles next — the Seattle Mariners or the Toronto Blue Jays. At this point, Ohtani seems more likely to make history in a game than not.

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Hunter Cookston

Hunter Cookston began his career as a sportswriter for the Marion Tribune, where he covered local high school football, basketball and baseball. His passion for sports started at the age of four when he played his first year of tee ball. Growing up in Tennessee, he developed a deep love for the Tennessee Volunteers and Atlanta Braves. Hunter is currently attending Tennessee Wesleyan University, where he is pursuing a BA in Sports Communications/Management.