Shohei Ohtani, the phenom, the unicorn, the player who seemingly defies baseball limitations, did it again. But this time, he stunned the MLB world not with a monstrous home run or a blazing fastball, but with a perfectly executed safety bunt.
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Yes, that’s right. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ $700 million man, known for his otherworldly power and pitching prowess, decided to ‘play a little small ball’ as the saying goes. Facing the Arizona Diamondbacks in the bottom of the first, with Mookie Betts already out, Ohtani surprised everyone by dropping down a bunt on the very first pitch.
Shohei Ohtani steals the show again
The move sent the baseball world into a frenzy. “Shohei Ohtani laying down a bunt. There’s not a club that this man doesn’t have in his bag,” remarked one commentator. Another added commenting on the two-way phenom showing off every tool in his bag.
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Shohei Ohtani laying down a bunt. There's not a club that this man doesn't have in his bag.
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) May 21, 2024
While the bunt was surprising, it wasn’t a thing of beauty alone. In fact pitcher Joe Mantiply fielded it, but his throw sailed wide, allowing Ohtani to reach safely. But it was the sheer unexpected nature of it all that took everyone by surprise. Here’s a guy who can launch baseballs into orbit and dial up triple-digit fastballs, choosing to play it safe with a bunt?
Ohtani himself seemed to relish the surprise element. Clearly, when the defense is shifting like Arizona’s was, sometimes you just have to take what they give you, just like Ohtani did. Fans could not contain their excitement at this man’s genius.
Fans frenzy on social media after the Ohtani-bunt
This isn’t Ohtani’s first bunt, but it certainly feels like his most significant. It’s a reminder that while he possesses otherworldly power, he’s also a baseball savant with a complete understanding of the game’s intricacies. He can crush a fastball, paint the corners with a curveball, and yes, even lay down a perfectly placed bunt when the situation calls for it. With that, it’s time to see how fans reacted.
Fans spoke about how Ohtani might be simply having fun.
he's so good he's just trolling at this point lmfao
— Jacob (@LASportsEnjoyer) May 21, 2024
A fan said “worth every cent” hinting at Ohtani’s contract.
As a DH worth every cent of 700Ms
— Phillip Subia (@subia94) May 21, 2024
Another fan said “Mind games by Ohtani 💯”
He read the scouting report that 1st baseman had a couple errors already.
Mind games by Ohtani 💯
— xxrhc (@xxrhc) May 21, 2024
While most lauded Ohtani for the blunt, there were fans who critiqued the Diamondbacks.
The official scoring around the league is pathetic; that’s an error all the way!
— Francisco Villaescusa (@Francis71812260) May 21, 2024
Yet another comment on the D-Backs.
Using DBacks small ball game against them.
— Luka’s JZ (@Dodgerz4Ever) May 21, 2024
With his latest feat, Shohei Ohtani has once again expanded the definition of what it means to be a complete baseball player. And in doing so, he’s left the entire MLB world wondering what he might surprise us with next.
Written by
Edited by
Suman Varandani