MLB WORLD SERIES: YANKEES VS DODGERS

October 30, 2024

Shohei Ohtani

Yankee Stadium

Los Angeles Dodgers

Postgame 5 Press Conference

Dodgers - 7, Yankees - 6

Q. Congratulations. I was there the first day you came here with the Angels. I know this has always been your goal, to win a World Series in the Major Leagues. Can you tell us what's going on in your heart and mind right now? If you feel like speaking a bit of English, that would be great. If not, that's good too.

SHOHEI OHTANI: I'm honored to be able to be part of a season where we played the longest, and to be able to get to know this team. My first year and experience winning a World Series has been a tremendous honor.

Q. This season started out kind of tumultuous for you in Korea with the Ippei situation and your first year with the Dodgers. Getting from that moment to right now mentally, what was this year like for you, and how were you able to get to this point?

SHOHEI OHTANI: We were able to get through the regular season, I think, because of the strength of this team, this organization. And the success of the postseason is very similar to how we were able to pull it off during the regular season. Again, the strength of the organization. Extremely honored to be a part of this.

Q. You took over the leadoff spot with a guy like Mookie Betts on your team, who literally leads the franchise in leadoff home runs, and you've also got a Freddie Freeman with you as well. What's it like, now that you've won, playing with guys of that caliber, in terms of the type of teammates they are and what you've learned from them over the course of the season?

SHOHEI OHTANI: I really felt like the professionalism of the two players really stands out, and aside from the two players, I do feel like we had a really good lineup with a lot of good hitters, 1 through 9, and it really allowed me to elevate my game as well, not just technically, but also my professionalism.

Q. I know that in Japan the teams have the celebratory beer celebrations a little differently. Which one do you prefer? Do you prefer the way they do it in Japan or the way they do it here?

SHOHEI OHTANI: I do feel like the celebration I've had in the past in Japan in WBC was a little bit toned down, and I was able to really enjoy kind of like the celebratory in a different way here today, and it's been really fun.

Q. Can you describe the emotions today as your team fell behind 5-0 and you were gradually able to come back?

SHOHEI OHTANI: I think our lineup did a really good job battling and seeing pitches during that big five-run inning. Although I was assisted by some errors on the other side, we really did a good job and able to capitalize on those.