Ryu Hyun-jin's season was dominated by Ohtani, and this year's LAD will exceed 4 million spectators for the first time

Aug 24, 2025

Ryu Hyun-jin's season was dominated by Ohtani, and this year's LAD will exceed 4 million spectators for the first time
LA Dodgers Shohei Ohtani is welcomed by coach Dino Evel around third base after hitting his 40th home run of the season in the bottom of the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Dodger Stadium on the 10th (Korea time). AFP Yonhap News



Ryu Hyun-jin's season was dominated by Ohtani, and this year's LAD will exceed 4 million spectators for the first time
The Dodgers are expected to reach 4 million spectators for the first time in the club's history this season. AFP Yonhap News
The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to open the era of 4 million spectators for the first time in the club's 142-year history.

The Dodgers mobilized 3,247,488 fans in 65 home games as of the 23rd (Korea time). It is by far the number one among the 30 clubs. It has virtually confirmed the achievement of the largest crowd mobilization for 12 consecutive years since 2013 (excluding the 2020 season without spectators).

The average number of games is 49,961, which is a whopping 7,440, compared to the second-place San Diego Padres (42,521). In other words, the Dodgers' ability to mobilize spectators is overwhelming. Last year, the average was 48,206, 6689 more than the second-place Philadelphia Phillies (41,517). This year, he seems to have widened the gap with the second place.




If the Dodgers attract 752,512 people and an average of more than 47,732 in the remaining 16 home games, they will achieve 4 million spectators in a season for the first time in the club's history.

There are only four clubs in the Major League that have attracted more than 4 million spectators in a season: the Colorado Rockies (1993), the New York Yankees (2005-2008), the Toronto Blue Jays (1991-1993) and the New York Mets (2008).

Ryu Hyun-jin's season was dominated by Ohtani, and this year's LAD will exceed 4 million spectators for the first time
LA Dodgers Shohei Ohtani is watching the Toronto Blue Jays game at Dodger Stadium in the dugout on the 9th (Korea time). ImagesYonhap News
The Dodgers averaged 50,490 spectators in their last 16 home games last year. In other words, the box office pace will exceed the season average for the rest of the month this year. The competition with San Diego for the NL West championship is hot.




The Dodgers' record for the most spectators ever was 3,974,309 in 2019. Last year, 3,941,251 people visited Dodger Stadium and unfortunately failed to reach 4 million spectators, attracting the second-largest number of spectators ever.

The good news in 2019 is that he was on the run for the most wins (106 wins) in a season in Dodgers history until then, and that he achieved 279 home runs in a season with big guns such as Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy, Jak Pederson and Justin Turner. It is also a season in which Ryu Hyun-jin ranked first in the overall ERA (2.32) and ranked second in the NL Cy Young Award.

Ryu Hyun-jin's season was dominated by Ohtani, and this year's LAD will exceed 4 million spectators for the first time
Ryu Hyun-jin during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers. AP Yonhap News
Last year's box office point was Shohei Ohtani no matter what anyone said. At that time, Ohtani, who was recruited through a 10-year, $700 million FA contract, the largest in global sports history, led the box office by writing the first 50 home runs and 50 steals. As of last year's 162-game season, the Dodgers won the World Series for the first time in 36 years since 1988 and were back in a period of revival.




This year, which has gained momentum, the box office market is steeper.

The Dodgers lost 1-2 in the first of three consecutive away games against San Diego on the same day, falling from the lone lead in the district to a tie for the lead. Pimali's winning race in the West is expected to add to the enthusiasm for the box office. Still, Ohtani is the core of the team's power and the main player of the box office.

Ryu Hyun-jin's season was dominated by Ohtani, and this year's LAD will exceed 4 million spectators for the first time
Shohei Otani returned to the mound in June and resumed his pitching and hitting. AP Yonhap News
Ryu Hyun-jin's season was dominated by Ohtani, and this year's LAD will exceed 4 million spectators for the first time
오타니 쇼헤이. AFP Yonhap News
In other words, the reason why the Dodgers invested astronomical money in Ohtani is clearly proving in terms of crowd mobilization at least for two seasons.

Dodgers Vice President and Marketing Director Ron Rosen said in February last year that 11,623 fans gathered for an exhibition game against San Diego at an Arizona spring training camp. We were always full of star players and had a lot to talk about. There is no place like this"All the focus is on Otani. He is a national treasure in Japan. He is also a great hero and a good person to American fans."

It wasn't an unnecessary sound. It is said that the Dodgers have made efforts to recruit Otini since 1992, when he was a third grader at Hanamakahigashi High School in Iwate Prefecture. After more than 10 years of waiting, it can be said that it is enjoying the 'Otani effect'.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.