Ohtani’s debut season with the Dodgers had threatened to be engulfed by scandal before a ball had been hit in March, with the slugger’s interpreter arrested for stealing millions of dollars from the player to pay off illegal gambling debts.
However he would go on to produce a scintillating regular season campaign, becoming the first player in baseball history to amass 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season to help set up the team’s successful postseason campaign.
Ohtani said the resilience and support of his team-mates had helped him get through the season.
“We were able to get through the regular season, I think, because of the strength of this team, this organisation,” Ohtani said.
“And the success of the postseason is very similar to how we were able to pull it off during the regular season.
“Again, the strength of the organisation. Extremely honored to be a part of this.”
