Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani celebrated his 30th birthday on Friday and received a heartfelt gift from his teammate Kike Hernandez.
Although Ohtani went hitless in the game against the Milwaukee Brewers, catcher Will Smith made up for it by hitting three home runs, leading the Dodgers to an 8-5 victory.
Ohtani shared a picture of the touching present from Hernandez on his Instagram account. The gift was a baseball encased in glass, with a birthday message written in Japanese on one side and “Happy Bday Sho! Feliz Cumpleanos Jorge!” on the other.
RELATED: Shohei Ohtani Sports Leather Jacket, Black Cleats in New $101,395 Porsche Taycan Advertisement
Ohtani, known as ‘Shotime,’ signed a monumental ten-year, $700 million contract with the LA Dodgers in December, ending his eventful free agency period.
Kike Hernandez, on the other hand, played for the Dodgers last season before becoming a free agent. He struggled to find a new team but eventually signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Dodgers just before spring training.
Hernandez has been utilized primarily as a utility player this season, showcasing his versatility on defense. Meanwhile, Ohtani has been serving as a designated hitter after a December 2023 injury sidelined him from pitching for the entire current season.
Despite this, Ohtani’s performance at the plate has been outstanding, demonstrating remarkable batting skills and plate discipline.
Ohtani has been justifying the Dodgers’ significant investment in him with stellar performances. In Saturday’s game against the Brewers, he hit a solo home run, contributing to the Dodgers’ 5-3 victory.
This season, Ohtani boasts a batting average of .316 with 28 home runs, 65 RBIs, and a 1.045 OPS. He is tied with Jurickson Profar for the National League lead in batting average and is a leader in home runs, surpassed only by the Yankees’ Aaron Judge, who has 32 homers this season.
Shohei Ohtani continues to be a powerhouse for the Dodgers, proving his worth and showcasing his exceptional talent both on and off the field. His contributions are a testament to his skill and dedication, making him one of the standout players in Major League Baseball this season.
