The Los Angeles Dodgers erupted at the plate on Thursday night.
The team posted a head-turning 19 runs against The Athletics as virtually every hitter in the lineup contributed. But, as is often the case, superstar Shohei Ohtani stood out.
Ohtani homered twice in his five at bats, bringing his season long-ball total up to 15, which is tied for the lead among all hitters. He is now slashing .310/.409/.673 with 28 RBI and 10 steals on the season.
After another outstanding performance, Ohtani has extended a notable trend in games when his team is handing out bobbleheads with his likeness.
“Ohtani has now gone deep in his last three bobblehead nights, beginning with the highly anticipated giveaway that featured Ohtani holding his beloved dog, Decoy, last August,” per Sonja Chen of MLB.com. “This year, on April 3, Ohtani’s first bobblehead commemorated his third unanimous MVP Award. After the Dodgers rallied back from an early deficit and excitement built throughout the evening, he walked off the Braves with a solo shot to secure an undefeated 8-0 start to the Dodgers’ title defense.”
Ohtani’s performances on bobblehead nights has also caught the eye of Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who called for the team to launch more promotions featuring the star player.
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“We need some more,” Roberts said of the giveaways. “I think that four or five, I guess, a year is not enough, because when he has a bobblehead night, he seems to really perform.”
The Dodgers probably don’t need any more reasons to hand out merchandise featuring Ohtani, given his popularity. But if it really seems to be driving some success at the plate, fans might be able to look forward to more giveaways in the near future.
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