On a warm Tuesday evening at Dodger Stadium, there was an electricity in the air. The Los Angeles Dodgers faced the struggling Chicago White Sox on July 1, 2025. It felt like more than just another game. The Dodgers’ offense exploded in the first inning, scoring four runs to support their ace. The large run support was a relief for starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto. He cut through the White Sox lineup with precision. The stage was perfectly set for a moment of pure baseball magic.

That magic came in the bottom of the fourth from Shohei Ohtani. The superstar slugger launched his 30th home run of the season into the twilight. The shot solidified his place as the National League’s home run king. Ohtani became the fastest player in Dodgers history to reach the 30-homer mark, joining Cody Bellinger to reach that milestone before an All-Star break. It was also his fifth consecutive year with this overwhelming accomplishment. With stats (.287 BA/.387OBP/.637 SLG) that dwarf his peers, the conversation is no longer if he’ll win MVP.

But beyond the 6-1 victory, the celebration spilled onto social media. Yamamoto immediately posted the MLB official’s post about Ohtani’s milestone on his Instagram story. He added a simple, yet powerful, three-syllable Japanese message: “30号すげえええええ🙇🙇🙇”. This translates – “Big 30 yeah 🙇 🙇🙇.” a playful nod of respect between friends. Ohtani then returned the favor with a classic, witty Instagram story. He shared an old, goofy modeling photo of Yamamoto, simply saying “カッケエ” (Kakkee). This trendy slang translates to “So cool!” or “Awesome!”

This rare, public exchange offered fans a real glimpse into their strong bond.

This isn’t the first time the two have publicly supported each other. After winning the 2024 World Series, Yamamoto rode in the victory parade next to Ohtani. During that postseason, their respect for each other was also apparent in a critical NLDS Game 5. Ohtani patted Yama’s head after he pitched five brilliant scoreless innings. And the list doesn’t end here.

Their friendship frequently plays out publicly, in a spirit of fun. The duo starred together in a viral “Playground Compliments” video released by the Dodgers. Yamamoto thanked Ohtani’s “handsome face,” and earnestly said, “Thank you for always being so kind to me.” When Ohtani homered in his return to the Tokyo Dome, Yamamoto showed his immense confidence. Through an interpreter, he simply stated, “I was kind of expecting he would hit a home run.” Big and small, these moments underscore a camaraderie built on deep respect.

Ohtani’s unprecedented influence

And perhaps most significantly, the reverence for Shohei Ohtani is evident in the clubhouse. Manager Dave Roberts frequently appears to be at a loss for words, at one point admitting, “I don’t think we have any superlatives.” Catcher Will Smith noted Ohtani’s enthusiasm and willingness to do anything to be of service to the team. “Every night, it’s a different guy,” Max Muncy said. “We haven’t gotten everyone to click at the same time… Ohtani can carry a lot of the load himself while others such as Freddie Freeman… and Mookie Betts… get back to form”. It’s this special combination of the ability to be a great teammate and yet deal with the immense pressure at the same time. As Roberts aptly put it, “I’ve just never seen anything like it.”

This powerful partnership is the engine behind the Dodgers’ dominant 2025 campaign.

The Dodgers currently lead all of baseball with a dominant 54-32 record. This gives them a comfortable 7.5-game lead in the National League West. Their potent lineup leads all of Major League Baseball in several key categories. They are first in batting average at .262, home runs with 134, and total runs scored with 483. While the team’s 4.18 ERA sits near the bottom third at 21st, its stars consistently deliver.

Yamamoto himself is having one of his own in a breakout season, one that is justifying his blockbuster contract. The Japanese flamethrower is 8-6 on the year with a sparkling 2.51 ERA. He puzzles hitters all the same, striking out 109 in 96.2 innings. His presence gives the team a dependable arm at the top of the rotation. Yamamoto’s success, combined with Ohtani’s historic offensive output, creates a one-two punch that few teams can withstand.