LOS ANGELES – Shohei Ohtani has achieved a significant milestone with his decision to join the Los Angeles Dodgers: a chance to compete in the World Series.

“I genuinely believe we’ve reached this pivotal moment. I feel like I’ve finally made it to this level,” Ohtani expressed through a translator after the team’s decisive 10-5 victory over the New York Mets, which concluded the NL Championship Series in six games.

During this series, Ohtani showcased his skills by hitting .364, contributing two home runs, six RBIs, and nine walks, culminating in an impressive 1.184 OPS against the Mets. In Game 6, he recorded two hits and an RBI. Overall, in his debut postseason spread across 11 games, he is batting .286 with three homers and ten RBIs as the Dodgers gear up to face the New York Yankees in the World Series, starting on Friday.

After signing a landmark $700 million, 10-year deal last December, Ohtani opted to defer $68 million each year, allowing the Dodgers the flexibility to enhance their roster. This decision facilitated the signing of pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a trade for pitcher Tyler Glasnow, and the acquisition of outfielder Teoscar Hernández, among other strategic moves.

“The objective was to reach this point,” Ohtani remarked. “I envisioned myself being here, reflecting the commitment I made with my contract.”

Despite healing from elbow surgery that kept him from pitching this season, Ohtani maintained a batting average of .310, leading the National League with 54 home runs, 130 RBIs, and an impressive 59 stolen bases, making him the first player in history to achieve a 50-50 season. He is also a strong contender for his first NL MVP award after previously claiming two AL MVPs.

“He’s not just a baseball icon; he’s a global superstar,” said teammate Max Muncy. “He arrives ready to deliver greatness each day, and he seldom lets us down. His incredible work ethic and camaraderie as a teammate have made it a joy to share the clubhouse with him throughout the season.”

In critical situations, Ohtani has excelled, with 18 hits in his last 23 at-bats with runners in scoring position, following a 10-RBI game on September 19 that solidified his status as a 50-50 player. He did experience a challenging 0-for-22 stretch when there were no runners on base.

“There’s nothing fundamentally different in my game,” Ohtani noted. “When situations arise, I may adjust my swing, but my overall approach has remained consistent. It’s important to recognize that it may just be a small sample size.”