In the biggest moments of competition, the presence of a team’s core player carries enormous weight.

Even if that player is struggling at the plate, pitchers and opposing teams remain constantly aware of them.

The mere possibility of facing that player can change strategy, psychology, and the flow of a game.

The 2023 World Baseball Classic final offered a perfect example.

Once Japan knew Shohei Ohtani would pitch the ninth inning, the United States also knew that if they did not score before then, their chances of winning would shrink dramatically.

That kind of influence goes beyond statistics.

It changes the entire atmosphere of a game.

The same was true during the 2024 World Series.

After dislocating his left shoulder in Game 2, uncertainty surrounded whether Ohtani would even be able to continue playing.

The Dodgers were worried, of course — but so were the Yankees.

Ohtani understood why.

Even if he could not perform at his absolute best, his mere presence in the lineup forced the opposing team to adjust.

If Ohtani came to the plate in a crucial situation, the Yankees would likely bring in their best left-handed reliever from the bullpen.

And even if Ohtani failed to get a hit, that decision could create favorable matchups for the right-handed hitters behind him.

At the same time, it would force the opponent to burn one of its key bullpen arms earlier than planned.

That strategic pressure existed because Ohtani was in the lineup.

That is why he said:

“Whether I hit or not is a separate matter. In a short series, the role played by core players on a team is especially important.”

Ohtani believed that even an injured player could still contribute to winning.

And that belief is exactly why he chose to continue playing through pain.

Source

This quote comes from a Japanese book published in Japan and is not currently available in English.

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