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Shohei Ohtani’s Greatest Game Ever: MLB Reaches a New Global Peak Ahead of 2026 World Baseball Classic

Matt TallariniOct 24, 20254 MIN READ
Shohei Ohtani homered for the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Tokyo Dome Wednesday night. (AP PHoto)

Los Angeles Dodgers and Japanese two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani delivered a performance for the ages on Friday night in Southern California, striking out 10 batters over six innings and hitting three home runs in a 5–1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. The win clinched the Dodgers’ 26th National League pennant and sent them back to the World Series for a second straight year.

Ohtani, listed as the designated hitter and leadoff man on October 17, produced one of the most complete two-way games in Major League history. On the mound, he allowed only two hits and three walks with no earned runs. At the plate, he went 3-for-3 with three solo home runs, three RBI, and a walk.

A Historic Night in Every Sense

According to MLB researcher Sarah Langs, Ohtani’s outing broke multiple records and reached statistical territory no player had ever touched before:

  • First leadoff home run by a pitcher in MLB history

  • First postseason multi-homer game by a pitcher

  • First game in MLB history with 3 HR and 10 strikeouts

  • First player with two 116+ mph home runs in a game (Statcast era, since 2015)

  • First player with two career games featuring 2+ HR and 10+ K

Ohtani was named the 2025 NLCS MVP for his performance on Friday night.

10-strikeout performance

First home run


Second home run →

Third home run →

Ohtani’s 2025 Postseason and Career Context

In his first postseason pitching campaign, Ohtani has gone 2–0 with a 2.25 ERA in two starts, tossing 12 innings, allowing five hits, three earned runs, and no home runs, with 12 strikeouts.

At the plate, through 10 postseason games, he’s batting .220/.333/.634 with seven runs scored, nine hits, five home runs, and nine RBI.

Now in his eighth Major League season and 13th as a professional, Ohtani continues to redefine what’s possible in baseball. His postseason dominance evokes comparisons to Babe Ruth, Satchel Paige, and Japanese icon Sadaharu Oh.

Born in Oshu, Japan, Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers on December 11, 2023, after six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels from 2017 to 2023.

According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Ohtani agreed to defer $68 million of his $70 million annual salary, leaving just $2 million per year paid upfront, with deferred payments running from 2034 to 2043. This structure reduced his competitive balance tax hit to approximately $46 million annually.

Ohtani’s first season in Chavez Ravine was historic. In 2024, he became the first player in MLB history to record a 50/50 season (54 home runs and 59 stolen bases) and the first to win three unanimous MVP awards, including back-to-back unanimous selections in both leagues—a feat only Frank Robinson had previously matched across the American and National Leagues.

He led MLB in 2024 with 134 runs scored, 411 total bases, and 99 extra-base hits, while pacing the National League with a 9.2 WAR and 1.036 OPS.

From Japan to the World Stage Once Again

Before joining the Dodgers, Ohtani starred internationally at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he led Japan to its third WBC title. He earned MVP honors for Pool B and was named to the All-Tournament Team as both a pitcher and designated hitter.

At the 2023 WBC, Ohtani hit .435/.606/.739 with 10 hits, four doubles, one home run, eight RBI, and 10 walks in seven games—then struck out Mike Trout to seal Japan’s championship win over the United States.

As the 2026 World Baseball Classic approaches, Japan’s new manager Hirokazu Ibata will again look toward Ohtani’s leadership, alongside players emerging from the 2025 NPB season.  Japan will compete in Pool C at the Tokyo Dome, facing South Korea, Australia, Chinese Taipei, and the Czech Republic from March 5–10.

Ohtani’s legend—from Hokkaido Nippon-Ham to MLB superstardom—continues to define baseball’s modern era. With every game, he proves the sport’s future is global, and its brightest moments can come from anywhere.


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