Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers are about to take the field for Game 1 of the World Series.
Ohtani has taken Major League Baseball by storm since breaking into the majors with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018, but his move to the Dodgers has only increased his popularity.
His remarkable season in his first year with the Dodgers shows just how talented the Japanese-born player is.
Evidence of his growing popularity can be seen in the 150-foot mural painted in his name in the Little Tokyo area of ​​Los Angeles.
LA Rising artist Robert Vargas recently explained what the mural means.
“All about representation and unity and where else do you see a 150-foot mural of an Asian man in the heart of the city,” Vargas said via MLB on X .
In Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo neighborhood, the Shohei Ohtani effect is in full swing. 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/ebalHvcaYe
— MLB (@MLB) October 24, 2024
Vargas painted the mural on the Miyako Hotel and said it gives a face to Little Tokyo right in downtown Los Angeles.
This year, Ohtani batted .310 with 54 home runs, 130 RBI, 59 stolen bases and a 1.036 OPS, becoming the first player in history to have at least 50 homers and 50 steals in the same season.
The Far Bar in Little Tokyo is offering free drinks for every Ohtani home run, as well as a cocktail called the Showtime.
Ohtani has become one of the most popular players in the game, and he will become even more popular if he can perform well in the World Series.
The Ohtani effect has taken over Los Angeles, and the city should be rooting for the Dodgers to take home the World Series title.
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