Shohei Ohtani went viral Wednesday night — not for a towering home run or a strikeout on the mound, but for a single pregame photo.
Before the Los Angeles Dodgers’ huge 4-3 win over the Padres, a snapshot of Ohtani walking into Dodger Stadium took over social media.
He wore a backwards cap, carried a duffel bag over his shoulder, and exuded effortless confidence. It wasn’t flashy, or dramatic — just pure Shohei.
And it was enough to send fans and media into a frenzy.
Shohei aura is unmatched 😤 pic.twitter.com/DFwScr3Kr7
— MLB (@MLB) June 18, 2025
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And this time, the walk-in came after one of the most anticipated games of Ohtani’s career: his first pitching appearance since elbow surgery in 2023.
Taking the mound in an “opener” role, Ohtani threw one inning as part of the Dodgers’ carefully managed return plan for the two-way star. He tossed 28 pitches, averaging 96.8 mph on his fastball — a strong showing after nearly two years off the mound.
The team rallied behind strong bullpen work and timely hits, pulling off a key divisional victory.
But even with the win, the photo was still a major talking point. The buzz surrounding Ohtani’s walk-in before the Dodgers’ victory over the Padres was so strong that by the time the first pitch was thrown, the image had already circulated widely across platforms.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged that Ohtani’s presence goes far beyond the stat sheet.
Ohtani’s two-way comeback is being handled with precision by the Dodgers, and Monday marked a major step forward. While they continue to monitor his pitching workload, his offensive production hasn’t missed a beat.
He also made history in the process. By starting on the mound and leading off as the designated hitter, Ohtani became just the third player since 1900 to pitch and bat leadoff in a National League game.
For Dodgers fans and supporters of the MVP, it’s a fun week that hasn’t lost its charm after Wednesday’s social media post.
The Dodgers’ 4-3 win over the Padres added the perfect exclamation mark to a night that began with a viral moment, and ended with a statement victory.
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