As Spring Training approaches, the buzz surrounding Shohei Ohtani continues to intensify. The Japanese sensation, now a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, finds himself at the center of attention as he prepares to embark on a new chapter in his baseball journey. However, with the Dodgers comes a unique tradition-one that infielder Miguel Rojas is keen to ensure Ohtani honors.
The Dodgers are going to make Shohei sit on the toilet if he doesn’t tell a good story on the team bus pic.twitter.com/ZVlYy3OnvF
— Chris Rose Sports (@ChrisRoseSports) February 6, 2024
Dodgers teammates expect Ohtani to honor tradition
The Dodgers’ bus tradition has long been a rite of passage for new arrivals, requiring them to share stories during the journey. But here’s the catch: if the stories don’t meet expectations, the consequence is a seat on the bus’s less-than-desirable spot-the toilet.
In a recent interview with Chris Rose Sports, Rojas left no room for ambiguity, stating, “We wanna know stories. How they become big major league players and how everything started in Japan and stuff like that.” He made it clear that Ohtani would be expected to participate fully in this quirky tradition, emphasizing, “The rules are the rules.”
When Rose suggested a monetary alternative to bypass the tradition, Rojas remained resolute, asserting, “I would rather have an Ohtani story for the rest of my life than $100,000.” His dedication to preserving the team’s tradition speaks volumes about the significance of camaraderie and bonding within the Dodgers’ clubhouse.
With the Dodgers also welcoming other international talents like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Teoscar Hernandez, along with Tyler Glasnow acquired via trade, the upcoming bus journey promises to be an eventful one. As Ohtani continues his recovery from a season-ending injury in 2023, he remains optimistic about his prospects for the upcoming season.
Expressing confidence in his progress, Ohtani revealed plans to serve as the team’s designated hitter for their season opener against the Padres in Seoul, South Korea. “We’re right on schedule,” Ohtani said through interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. “We’re not ahead, we’re not behind. We’re right on schedule. As long as there are no setbacks going forward, I’ll be ready.”
Despite the challenges ahead, Ohtani remains focused on his rehabilitation while juggling his responsibilities as both a hitter and a pitcher. “I’m going to start my throwing program when I get to Arizona and go from there. We haven’t really scheduled anything like live BPs or anything like that. So we’re going to [play] it by ear through camp. The main focus will be on hitting, obviously, throughout the year, and we’re going to try to ease into the pitching program throughout the year.”
