Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani heard boos from the Toronto Blue Jays faithful as he entered the batter’s box at the Rogers Centre to start Game 7 of the World Series on Saturday night. However, he quickly silenced the crowd by making history.
Ohtani singled off of Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer to begin the game, marking a historic moment. He became the first World Series starting pitcher to record a hit while starting in Game 7.
The last time a pitcher recorded a hit while starting a Game 7 in the World Series was in 1975, when Cincinnati Reds star Don Gullet and Boston Red Sox starter Bill Lee both accomplished the feat. If Ohtani manages to get a second hit, he will be the first-ever starting pitcher to do so.
After Ohtani’s single, Scherzer settled down and retired Will Smith, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts. Ohtani was able to reach third base but ultimately failed to score.
The Dodgers star was also on the mound on just three days’ rest as Los Angeles hoped for a Hollywood ending—despite a unique MLB rule that could have prevented him from both pitching and batting in the same game.
MLB instituted a rule stating that if a starting pitcher is in the batting lineup, he can continue hitting even after being taken off the mound. This rule allowed Ohtani to remain in the game upon being removed as a starter.
However, if Ohtani had started the game as the team’s designated hitter and later entered in relief pitching, the Dodgers would risk losing his powerful bat in the lineup once he exited the mound. The only way for Ohtani to stay in the game after pitching in relief would be to play in the field—a position he has rarely played in his career.
The three-time MVP has played the field just 8⅓ innings in his career and has not done so since 2021.
Stay tuned for more updates on this historic World Series clash.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/dodgers-shohei-ohtani-snaps-50-year-drought-he-hears-boos-from-blue-jays-fans