The Dodgers star revealed the unexpected motivation behind his clutch performance.
Shohei Ohtani has already given Dodgers fans plenty to cheer about, but Wednesday night’s walk-off home run came with a surprising twist. In a tied game against the Braves, Ohtani stepped to the plate in the bottom of the ninth—and delivered a signature moment. But what sparked the blast wasn’t just the pressure of the scoreboard.
Ohtani revealed after the game that a fan gave him a very specific reminder before the at-bat. The moment, captured during a postgame interview, added unexpected context to what was already a dramatic win.
Speaking through interpreter Will Ireton, Ohtani told Dodgers reporter Kirsten Watson that a fan in the crowd called out to him just before he stepped in the box.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani
© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
A Lighthearted Comment Before a Heavy Swing
“It’s your bobblehead night, so you better get a hit,” the fan reportedly said.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. On a night when thousands lined up hours before first pitch to secure his custom bobblehead—featuring Ohtani holding the 2024 National League MVP trophy—the pressure was certainly heightened. But Ohtani met the moment, launching a first-pitch changeup over the center field wall to give the Dodgers a walk-off 6–5 win and keep their undefeated record intact.
Reflecting on the swing, Ohtani simply said, “Just looking for a really good pitch to hit.” That fan’s bold reminder may have helped provide a little extra motivation.
For Dodgers fans, the night ended with more than a souvenir—they left the stadium with a memory that could define Ohtani’s early legacy in Los Angeles.
