Ohtani, who got hit by Kim Hye-sung's double, shouted why?156km already! Ohtani was surprised, too
May 26, 2025
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Superstar Ohtani, who invested 700 million dollars (about 953.6 billion won) by the Los Angeles Dodgers, finally stood on the big league mound. Ohtani played live pitching at Citi Field, the home stadium of the New York Mets in Flushing, New York, on the 26th (Korea time). The Dodgers checked pitcher Ohtani's completeness about four hours before the final game of the three consecutive away games against the Mets.
It was the first time Ohtani took the mound in the Major League in a Dodgers uniform and pitched with a batter standing up, so the U.S. local media was very interested. According to the U.S. media 'The Athletic', Ohtani last faced a batter on the big league mound 641 days ago. Since he underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2023 during his time with the Los Angeles Angels, he has been a batter only.
Ohtani faced three batters, including Dodgers infielder Kim Hye-sung, catcher Dalton Rushing, and communications coach JT Watkins. Watkins has played for Boston Red Sox minor league teams in the past. In addition to left-handed hitters Kim Hye-sung and Rushing, Ohtani said he wanted to face right-handed hitters, and Coach Watkins was willing to be an opponent.
Kim Hye-sung was the only batter who hit Ohtani's ball on the day. Kim Hye-sung grounded out to the pitcher in his first showdown with Ohtani. Ohtani drew laughter by pretending to catch Kim Hye-sung's ball and throw it to first base. Because there was no one guarding the first base.
Kim Hye-sung stole a double to right field by Ohtani in his second at-bat. On a very sharp ball, Ohtani turned directly to right fielder Hernandez and said "Is it a catchable ball?" shouted back. It meant if it was a real game, was it a catchable ball. As such, it can be said that Ohtani took the double that Kim Hye-sung allowed very sensitively.
MLB.com said, "'Kim Hye-sung took revenge on Ohtani (who played throwing pranks at first base) in his second at-bat. a clean double to right field. Ohtani explained that he turned to right fielder Hernandez, who was watching live pitching from the side, and asked if he could have caught him if he had been on the ground.
Coach Watkins struck out and walked, and Rushing struck out. He faced a total of five batters, including two showdowns with Kim Hye-sung.
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Coach Prior "No one here will doubt what Ohtani can do. But there is still a long way to go"But Otani's ball looked good and healthy. I felt confident and the strength to endure seemed good. He maintained his ball power steadily, and his movement was good. It was great for my first live pitching", he commented in general.
Ohtani knew that he could throw even harder if he put a batter up in the batter's box. I tried to keep the restraint at 93-94 miles, but I noticed that I was shooting 96, 97 miles. I didn't want to, but being able to photograph that restraint seems a good sign" he said.
Ohtani hasn't shown his side as a two-hitting star since August 2023. This is why the U.S. media has been persistently following Ohtani since he started pitching in the bullpen and asking Dodgers manager Dave Roberts when he will be able to stand on the mound. The Dodgers' position so far is that it is difficult to see pitcher Ohtani before the All-Star break.
Last year, the first year of his transfer to the Dodgers, Ohtani became the third MVP in his career, achieving 50 home runs and 50 steals for the first time in Major League history. As a pitcher, he was listed in the top five in the 2022 American League Cy Young Award voting, when he was healthy. A really healthy Ohtani sprays a fastball over 100 miles per hour (about 161 kilometers).
Roberts said "I've gotten too used to seeing Otani as a batter. It was very different and interesting for all of us to watch him take the mound only as a pitcher. If the process of preparing as a pitcher goes well, Ohtani is the best starter. What we expect..."
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
