An umpire quietly played a pivotal role in preserving the atmosphere during Shohei Ohtani’s historic moment earlier this week.
On Thursday, Ohtani, the Los Angeles Angels’ superstar, made baseball history by becoming the first player ever to join the exclusive 50/50 club, recording at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. The moment came in the 7th inning of a game against the Miami Marlins when Ohtani crushed a 1-2 curveball deep into the left-center field seats, sealing his legendary milestone.
While Ohtani basked in the achievement and the crowd erupted in celebration, home plate umpire Dan Iassogna subtly ensured the significance of the moment wasn’t rushed.
Understanding the gravity of what had just unfolded, Iassogna used his veteran experience to give Ohtani and the fans an extended opportunity to soak it all in.
Iassogna stalled for time by wiping down what appeared to be an already clean home plate and engaging in casual conversation with the ball boy. In an even more remarkable gesture, the umpire waved off a potential pitch clock violation, which would have penalized the Dodgers for taking too long to resume play while they celebrated Ohtani’s record-breaking achievement.
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Umpires are often the target of criticism, especially when mistakes are made, but in this case, Iassogna deserves credit for his professionalism and awareness.
His actions allowed the game to honor Ohtani’s historic moment properly, ensuring that the significance wasn’t overshadowed by routine protocol or clock violations.
It’s a reminder that, beyond their usual duties, umpires play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and spirit of the game.
