NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: METS VS DODGERS

October 20, 2024

Shohei Ohtani

Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles Dodgers

Postgame 6 Press Conference

Dodgers - 10, Mets - 5

Q. You came to the States six years ago with the goal of playing in the big leagues but ultimately to play in the World Series. Now that you have that opportunity, what are the emotions that you're feeling to play in the World Series now?

SHOHEI OHTANI: I really feel like we finally arrived, I finally arrived at this stage. A lot of the games we played were really tough and hard to win. And it was truly a team effort to get here.

Q. Obviously you structured your contract the way you did so the team could be stronger. How glad are you that it resulted in this; is this kind of what you pictured?

SHOHEI OHTANI: The goal was to get to this far. And I also pictured myself getting this far with the contract that I've signed. And, again, just being able to play on this kind of stage with the team effort, and all the games were really hard. But I'm just glad that we're at this stage right now.

Q. At one point you were 0-for-22 with no runners on base. Was there anything you changed with your approach, or did you talk to Doc about moving down in the order, or was there any change, or do you just keep swinging away?

SHOHEI OHTANI: There's nothing in particular that I changed. Obviously when there's situations, I do change how I swing. But in terms of my approach, I've been continuing with my approach the whole time. I do think a part of it is it's just a small sample size.

Q. Obviously the MVPs on this team are going to make all the headlines, but you have people that don't make the headlines, like Tommy Edman winning the MVP for the NLCS. Could you describe what it's like to be surrounded on a team where it feels like anybody can step up in a big moment like that?

SHOHEI OHTANI: Tommy, I think, clearly is the MVP. He does things, not just this postseason but during the regular season, contributing in places where it doesn't really reflect on the stat line.

But I think the common theme for this season has been a lot of people, different guys have been stepping up over the course of the season.