Shohei Ohtani was back to his best in the game that sent the Los Angeles Dodgers to their second consecutive World Series, not only with a stellar performance at bat, but also on the mound.
The Japanese phenom left behind the alarms of last year’s serious elbow injury and returned in ‘Babe Ruth mode’, determined to win his second MLB crown.
Shohei Ohtani goes for another World Series
Next stop: World Series pic.twitter.com/FXaZmsQP6q
– Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 18, 2025
Ohtani, an all-around player with the rare ability to combine power with the bat with pitching prowess, comes into the World Series as the MVP of the Championship Series, in which the Dodgers eliminated the Milwaukee Brewers with a 4-0 sweep.
The 31-year-old Japanese phenom finished the fourth game of the series, a 5-1 win, with three home runs that exposed the pitching of Colombian José Quintana, as well as that of relievers Chad Patrick and Trever Megill.
He became the 12th player in Major League Baseball postseason history to hit three homers in a game.
He joined a small club that also includes Latin legends such as Puerto Rico’s Kiké Hernández, Dominicans Albert Pujols and Adrián Beltré, and Venezuelans José Altuve and Pablo Sandoval.
But that was only part of a performance that the U.S. already considers one of the best ever in MLB.
He worked six innings on the mound and struck out ten opponents.
He conceded only three hits and three walks.
It was an unquestionable test of Ohtani’s strength and a Dodgers team that allowed just four Brewers runs in four games.
A total player and a 700 million contract
SHOHEI OHTANI, YOU ARE INCREDIBLE! pic.twitter.com/jythqTWUI4
– Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 18, 2025
Ohtani has been writing pages of modern baseball history for years, displaying a level and all-around game not seen in the Major Leagues since the days of the legendary Babe Ruth.
The Japanese already amazed the Major Leagues during his time with the Los Angeles Angels with his extraordinary ability not only as a hitter, but also as a pitcher.
However, it was with his signing with the Dodgers that he added to his stellar individual performance the possibility of fighting for titles.
The Dodgers put the highest contract in the history of the sport on the table to acquire his services.
Ten years and $700 million for the Japanese player to leave the Angels to join the stellar roster of his neighbors in Los Angeles.
That deal was a win-win for the Dodgers, who have within their grasp the possibility of opening a dynasty in MLB.
The serious elbow injury suffered last season could have changed this story.
Ohtani did not work as a pitcher last year to avoid overtaxing his arm and to achieve a full recovery.
Even without pitching, he made history by becoming the first player to hit 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season.
Last year, the ball with which Ohtani reached that mark was auctioned for $4.3 million at Goldin Auction House.
This sale set the new record price for a ball in any sport and bettered the $3.05 million paid to acquire former U.S. player Mark McGwire’s 70th home run ball.
Filed under: Shohei Ohtani in the World Series
With information from EFE
