When Instagram’s 686-million-strong empire decides to shine its spotlight, you know it’s a big deal. And when that spotlight lands on Shohei Ohtani, it’s not just baseball—it’s a global spectacle. As MLB’s biggest star returned home for the Tokyo Series, the world wasn’t just watching; they were double-tapping, commenting, and witnessing greatness in real time.
If you think Ohtani has all the attention in the world, think again. This is just the beginning of his rise to fame, and it looks like the whole world, including Instagram, is taking notice.
Instagram’s official account jumped into the buzz surrounding Ohtani in Tokyo with a special post of their own. They shared a short video of him warming up before the Tokyo Series, captioned, “It’s Shotime in Tokyo with @shoheiohtani (Shohei Ohtani)!” While the post itself was a standout, Instagram also featured it as part of their trending #10things series.
The post highlighted how the Japanese superstar is embracing homecoming for the Tokyo Series to kick off the 2025 season. Despite being swamped with workouts and press conferences, he still managed to find time to engage with his fans and even took a moment to connect with Instagram while in Tokyo.
The Tokyo Series also ended well for the Los Angeles Dodgers as they swept the Chicago Cubs 2-0. This was a one-sided series, as the Dodgers faced no threat from the Cubs and completely dominated them. But it was particularly good for Ohtani, who got the game going for the Dodgers in Game 1 and led the attack. In Game 2, Ohtani gave a gift to all his fans by hitting a home run, leading to the Dodgers’ triumph at 6-3.
If the Tokyo Series is any indication, Ohtani isn’t merely playing baseball—he’s at the forefront of a global phenomenon. With Instagram’s lighting up with highlights, a commanding Dodgers sweep, and a home run for the fans, it’s just another week in the life of baseball’s biggest star. At this rate, the only thing he hasn’t done yet is break the internet—but give it time.
Shohei Ohtani’s road to recovery: First bullpen session scheduled
The Dodgers are playing the long game with Ohtani, and for good reason. After all, when you invest $700 million in a generational talent, you don’t rush him back like a midseason bullpen call-up. With manager Dave Roberts carefully managing expectations, he is finally set to take a major step forward—one that could define the Dodgers’ season.
Finally, the pitcher will be seen in a bullpen session before the games against the Detroit Tigers on March 30th. His pitching has been on hold during spring training as the Dodgers prioritized his hitting. Although not serious, Ohtani has been engaging in light throwing drills even during this pause.
Sep 2, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Manager Roberts said, “This is a long-term play for Shohei’s well-being, also. So making sure that we’re as cautious and careful as we possibly can [be]. And, yeah, for 2025, the most important piece of this is having him be able to do both through the end of the season, through October.” The Dodgers are aiming for Ohtani to return to pitching in major league games by May, but Roberts stated that he prefers to wait until after Saturday’s bullpen session before coming to a specific plan.
With Shotime, the Dogers aren’t just planning for April, they’re strategizing for October and beyond. The $700 million investment in baseball’s most electrifying two-way star is a long-term play, and Roberts has made it clear that caution is key. For now, Los Angeles is more than happy to allow him to hit runs as the world waits for his second act.
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