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Shohei Ohtani Gave Classy Speech in English at Parade, and Dodgers Fans Loved It
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani often conducts his postgame interviews with an interpreter by his side. Ohtani can speak English, but he is more comfortable handling his media availability sessions in this way.
But during Friday's World Series parade and subsequent ticketed celebration event at Dodger Stadium, Ohtani made an exception.
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The Dodgers superstar took the microphone, and speaking in perfect English, delivered a speech to the crowd at Dodger Stadium.
"Uh, this is such a special moment for me," Ohtani said as the Los Angeles crowd roared its approval. "I'm so honored to be here and to be part of this team. Congratulations, Los Angeles! Thank you fans!"
Shohei Ohtani celebrates with Dodgers fans! pic.twitter.com/VBFkPhL4ks
— MLB (@MLB) November 1, 2024
It's not the first time he has spoken in English publicly—he also did so during his 2023 American League MVP acceptance speech in January of 2024, among other instances—but it was perhaps the most memorable time, given Ohtani's special message to the fans, as well as the crowd's excitement.
What a moment.
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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.