Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts Reveals What He's Learned About Shohei Ohtani

Maren Angus-Coombs | Apr 5, 2024

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

When the Los Angeles Dodgers signed designated hitter Shohei Ohtani to a record-breaking $700 million contract this offseason, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts knew the team was bringing in a three-time MLB All-Star, a two-time AL MVP and the reigning AL home run champion.

Since Ohtani has joined the team, Roberts has gotten to learn a lot more about Ohtani as a person.

One thing Roberts has learned around Ohtani is that he's "unflappable." Ohtani got off to a slower than expected start to his first season with the Dodgers, recording eight hits, five runs and three RBIs through the first eight games of the season. He's hit .270, but finally broke through with his first home run as a Dodger in the team's 5-4 win over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday.

The much-awaited home run from Ohtani was received with huge cheers from the crowd, as Ohtani hit what was likely the first of many homers as a Dodger.

“You just never learn about a person until they go through some adversity, whether on the field, or in this case, off the field,” Roberts said, via Juan Toribio of MLB.com. “I’ve learned that he’s unflappable. He really is. It might not be the production that we expect and we know is gonna happen. But in terms of his demeanor, the way he comes in every day, he does a good job of separating work from the other stuff.”

Outside of his slower start to the season, Ohtani also faced adversity recently with the news that his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, allegedly stole millions of dollars from Ohtani to pay for his gambling debts.

MLB has launched an investigation into the situation, but Ohtani has proven to be able to keep his focus on baseball and not let the distraction take over his game.