Shohei Ohtani, the star of the Los Angeles Dodgers, faced chants from Toronto Blue Jays fans during Game 1 at the Rogers Centre. The crowd, still feeling the sting of his past free-agency decision, taunted him with cries of “We don’t need you!” every time he approached the plate.
Despite the jeers, Ohtani took it all in stride, even finding humor in the situation. “It was a really great chant, and my wife really appreciated it,” he shared with a grin, speaking through interpreter Will Ireton.
Having been a top target for Toronto before signing with the Dodgers, Ohtani was the focus of the crowd’s ire. The chants began in the ninth inning of Game 1 and continued into Game 2, with fans also greeting him with boos during pregame introductions.
However, the attempts to unsettle Ohtani proved fruitless as he showcased his prowess by hitting his first World Series home run in Game 1. Despite a loss in that game, Ohtani contributed with a solid performance. In Game 2, he continued to make an impact, helping the Dodgers secure a crucial victory to level the series.
As the series moves to Los Angeles, the Blue Jays face the challenge of containing Ohtani both at the plate and on the mound. The upcoming games are set to feature Ohtani’s pitching skills, following his impressive display in the NLCS.
While the chants may have provided some release for Toronto fans, Ohtani remained unfazed by the noise, focusing on his performance on the field.