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Shohei Ohtani, Shota Imanaga Shared Classy Moment Before Dodgers Star’s At-Bat

This was so wholesome.

Tim Capurso

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani tips his cap to Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga in the bottom of the first inning of Tuesday's game at Dodger Stadium.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani tips his cap to Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga in the bottom of the first inning of Tuesday's game at Dodger Stadium. / Screengrab Twitter @WatchMarquee
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Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga shared a special moment before the first pitch of Tuesday's game, a 6-3 Cubs win at Dodger Stadium.

As Ohtani stepped up to the plate for his first at-bat of the game in the bottom of the first inning, the Dodgers star tipped the cap of his helmet to his fellow countryman in Imanaga, who returned the favor before toeing the rubber and delivering the first pitch of the contest.

Here's the wholesome moment between the two Japanese-born players.

Just the day before, Ohtani, Imanaga and Tuesday's starter for the Dodgers, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, all shared a moment before Monday's game.

And the trio of players, alongside Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki, combined to create a historic moment Tuesday.

The Cubs and Dodgers will meet again on Wednesday night at 10:10 p.m. ET.

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Tim Capurso
TIM CAPURSO

Tim Capurso is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Prior to joining SI in November 2023, he wrote for RotoBaller and ClutchPoints, where he was the lead editor for MLB, college football and NFL coverage. A lifelong Yankees and Giants fan, Capurso grew up just outside New York City and now lives near Philadelphia. When he's not writing, he enjoys reading, exercising and spending time with his family, including his three-legged cat Willow, who, unfortunately, is an Eagles fan.

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