Early in World Series Game 7, despite how distant it feels now, considerable attention was given to Shohei Ohtani's between-inning warmup clock.
The Los Angeles Dodgers's versatile player required a bit more time to reach the pitcher's mound in two distinct halves of innings, following his recent involvement in offensive plays.
In such a situation, umpires can give Ohtani additional time, but the Fox broadcast was fixated on the fact that it was occurring.
In retrospect, it was a silly thing to focus on.
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The same player who began Game 7 of the World Series in the top of the first inning with a hit was then pitching in the bottom of the first inning as the starter.
This has clearly never occurred previously. It might not happen again, at least within this particular division.
Yet, there it was, plainly visible to everyone. Ohtani's remarkable postseason performance saw him achieve numerous historic milestones, frequently appearing on lists alongside baseball legends like Barry Bonds or Babe Ruth, and this was solely based on his offensive contributions.
He connected for eight playoff home runs, a mark that tied for the second highest ever recorded.
He got on base 19 times in the World Series, a mark also tied for the second-highest total in history.
In Game 3, Ohtani delivered a historic performance during the Dodgers' 18-inning victory. He hit two home runs, had two doubles, and was issued five walks, four of which were intentional.
And then he pitched Game 4 the next day.
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Ohtani's brilliance is so profound it can be dazzling, leading to his daily season-long achievements being overlooked.
In Game 7 of the World Series, the player who batted first was also the one who pitched. Despite Ohtani's night not unfolding precisely as anticipated, the sheer occurrence of it remains astonishing.
Last season, Ohtani also secured the World Series title, though he was unable to pitch at that time due to ongoing recovery from arm surgery. This was a unique, significant opportunity to demonstrate that his exceptional two-way talent merited a return to baseball's pinnacle.
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If anyone deserves to stretch the limits of a clock a little bit, it's Ohtani. Shoot, it's the night we gain an hour on our clocks. We had the time.
So let Ohtani do his thing. There'll never be another like him.
Additional World Series updates:
- Andy Pages made the catch of his life to preserve the World Series
- Bo Bichette confesses he considered departing Toronto following the World Series.
- Clayton Kershaw's retirement is just about here
- Shohei Ohtani has now surpassed Babe Ruth in the record books.
- Ernie Clement with the most prolific hitting postseason ever