What Shohei Ohtani said about playing in 2024 MLB World Series, facing Aaron Judge

Shohei Ohtani on facing Aaron Judge, Dodgers’ strength

In the lead-up to the World Series, much of the attention has fallen on the two men heavily favoured to win their respective leagues’ Most Valuable Player awards: Ohtani for the Dodgers in the National League and the Yankees’ Aaron Judge in the American League.

Asked about Ohtani, Judge said the Japanese was “the best player in the game”. It was a compliment Ohtani wanted to return.

In the Japanese portion of the media availability, Ohtani said of Judge’s comments: “Everyone knows he is a great player, it’s special for baseball players and fans that one of the best players of all time is playing for the Yankees in this era.

“As a fan, I’m grateful he’s playing baseball and grateful for the opportunity to play against a player who represents this era.”

But make no mistake, Ohtani’s here to win against Judge – and he believes his teammates are the perfect group of people who will be able to do that.

“As a non-Dodger looking outside in, I’ve always felt like the Dodgers were able to easily make it to the postseason,” Ohtani admitted through Ireton.

“But (this season) I’ve really learned to appreciate what it took to make it to the postseason despite the injuries and it was really truly a team effort.”

He added to Japanese media: “We have a deep team, if you look at our roster, we have had injuries but the players who have covered for them have been very good.

“The young players who have come up from the minors are also very talented and well-trained. In addition, there are players like Kike (Hernández) who even when they’re not playing, support the team during the season, and yet show up in the postseason with explosive power.

“It’s a great balance.”