"The problem is that the front office cannot control Ohtani" — He defied the top brass's wishes and proved his point with "insistence on playing → dramatic three-run homer," but Japanese reactions are unsettling

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The manager, general manager, and president all stepped in. Shohei Ohtani (32, LA Dodgers) was struggling to find his footing, leading to concerns that something might be wrong with his physical condition. It was judged that resting would be better for both the team and Ohtani himself. However, Ohtani shook his head.

Former Dodgers general manager Jim Bowden appeared on the U.S. baseball-focused channel "Foul Territory" on the 20th (Korean time) to reveal the behind-the-scenes story of Ohtani's appearance in Game 4 of the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) postseason National League Championship Series (NLCS).

Ohtani had not hit a home run for nearly two months. His slump continued into the fall classic, and attempts to change his batting order yielded no reversal. He failed to record an RBI in seven fall classic games as well. His batting average was 0.182 (4 hits in 22 at-bats).

Some assessed that it was not a simple slump but poor condition due to the aftermath of an injury. Ohtani had stopped pitching and played only as a hitter during the season due to the effects of a left knee injury, but he recorded no home runs or RBIs whatsoever after the game against the Colorado Rockies on August 19.

His slump continued in the fall classic, and the team aiming for a three-peat World Series title was pushed to the brink of elimination with a 0-3 record in the NLCS.

Public opinion boiled over with calls to exclude Ohtani from the starting lineup, but Ohtani started Game 4 as well. Returning as the leadoff designated hitter, he hit a three-run home run in the second inning to extend the lead by four runs. He then raised both hands high, threw his bat, pointed at the dugout, and roared. It was an unusually intense reaction for Ohtani.

There was a reason. Former GM Bowden said, "Andrew Friedman, president of baseball operations, Brandon Gomes, general manager, Dave Roberts, manager, and even his agent were present to talk with Ohtani," adding, "They wanted to rest Ohtani, but Ohtani persuaded them to change that decision."

And then he hit a home run as if to show off. Bowden stated, "He pushed through his claim to secure his spot in the starting lineup for that game," and added, "That is why he showed such emotion when he hit the home run. I have never seen him express his emotions to that extent."

Ohtani himself had felt it was difficult to guarantee his own appearance. In a press conference ahead of Game 3, he said, "I don't know if I will be used or not. It is the role of the front office and the manager to decide that, so as long as I am in the lineup, I want to fulfill the role that comes with it. I believe everyone is prepared to play whenever they are called upon, so I want to play as one of them."

However, he actually clearly expressed his will and strongly appealed, ultimately securing his spot in the game.

Given Ohtani's usual personality, he was likely weighed down by his slump, and it would have been an expression of his determination to somehow save the team from crisis. And because that home run proved that choice was not wrong, it must have been all the more exhilarating. It is a scene that appears like another page of manga-style baseball where one overcomes adversity, even to those watching.

However, concerned views are also emerging. In reactions that garnered much sympathy on the Japanese portal site Yahoo Japan, a common story emerges. One netizen expressed concern, saying, "If this behind-the-scenes account is true, the biggest problem is that the front office cannot control Ohtani, even if he produced results."

Ohtani is an ultra-elite superstar who signed an astronomical 10-year, $700 million (approximately 929.8 billion won) contract. He achieved back-to-back championships immediately upon joining the Dodgers and has won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for three consecutive years. The fact that the president, general manager, and manager all spoke with one voice but could not bend Ohtani's will means such concerns are well-founded.

Another comment noted, "Ohtani likely wanted to keep playing games to build up his hitting feel, but he could have been placed on the injured list earlier (during the season), and the club might have wanted that too." It continued, "Mookie Betts once said that if you push yourself after returning from injury, your form may not come back even after a long time. I just hope this style of usage this season does not leave lingering effects later on."

Another netizen expressed concern, saying, "While it is said the manager decides whether to play in games, it actually means Ohtani himself is deciding." They added, "No one could stop Ohtani, who wanted to play, and as a result of enduring pain and pushing through, his injury became chronic. Ohtani has reached an age where he needs proper rest, and I think the very existence of a player in a position higher than the team is a bad situation."

Of course, it would be hard to find anyone who thinks Ohtani is a player who would harm the team for personal gain. However, whether intentional or not, the fact that the team is being dragged around by a specific player can lead to poor results and is an element of anxiety. If Ohtani had failed to produce results in Game 4 as well, it would have been a decision where the problem of the front office failing to bend Ohtani's will and making a wrong judgment would have inevitably been highlighted even more.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original