MLB has been abuzz with Shohei Ohtani’s part in the Dodgers’ drafting of Yoshinobu Yamamoto since the moment it went through. For the fans, wanting to play with the man considered a living legend in Japan made perfect sense behind Yoshi’s initiation into the team. However, that is not the reason why Yamamoto decided to pick the Boys in Blue with their unprecedented $325 million offer.

It’s a hard fact that Shohei Ohtani’s involvement in the Dodgers’ Yamamoto pitch increased the latter’s chance of choosing Hollywood. But Dodgers fans can breathe in peace now knowing that their home team would be Yamamoto’s ultimate choice of clubhouse regardless of the Unicorn factor.

Being a Dodger never really depended on Ohtani’s presence: Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s revelations

SNY TV recently shared moments from Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s official introductory team conference in one of their Twitter (now X) posts from today. In the video, an LA Times reporter asks the ace to emphasize how much Shohei’s presence on the team might have factored into Yoshi’s decision to sign with them. What would the ace have done on the off chance of seeing Ohtani sign with another team?

Yoshinobu Yamamoto didn’t take even a full minute to come up with an answer. “I wouldn’t say he was the sole reason I decided to come here; even if he went somewhere else, I probably would’ve ended up in L.A. as a Dodger.” Yamamoto’s reply makes perfect sense as the Blue Crew has always been one of the finest clubhouses for any MLB rookie to start with, given their decades’ worth of success and a strong fame game.

However, the pitcher didn’t just stop there. In his next statement, he went on to reveal that while Ohtani’s presence might not have mattered in his choosing them, it certainly did enhance the club’s desirability factor.

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Playing with Ohtani means a lot to Yoshi

“Shohei is obviously not one of the best Japanese players, but he’s one of the best players, period, in all of MLB. And so, to be able to play with him from here on out definitely means a lot to him (Yamamoto).” Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s interpreter, Mako Allbee, did perfect justice to the ace’s sentiment.

Of course, Yamamoto would consider the chance of playing by Shotime’s side a big achievement. He already witnessed the greatness of watching his senpai play during their stay together on Team Japan in this year’s World Baseball Classic Championship.

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Needless to say, Yoshinobu Yamamoto will look forward to seeing similar success with Shohei Ohtani in the Dodgers clubhouse starting in 2024.