Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani showcased a moment of kindness before the game against the San Francisco Giants on May 11 (May 12 in Japan) at Dodger Stadium. Just after completing his busy two-way preparation—throwing 23 pitches in the bullpen ahead of his next start two days later and then taking outdoor batting practice for the first time since May 4, recording 17 homers out of 52 swings, including a massive estimated 160-meter blast—Ohtani shifted from intense focus to a warm smile.
Instead of heading straight to the dugout, he walked over to a group of children who had been cheering “Shohei!” before practice. With a gentle expression, he offered, “How about a photo?” and happily posed for commemorative pictures.
The kids were thrilled. “This is amazing! We got a picture together. Shohei is the best player in MLB history!” one exclaimed. When asked which team they’d support, they burst out laughing: “Both!” and “Of course, the Giants!” Interestingly, one of the children turned out to be the nephew of Brandon Crawford, the Giants’ four-time Gold Glove shortstop. He jokingly said, “I’m definitely rooting for the Dodgers! Sorry, Brandon Crawford!” with a cheerful grin.
