Japan honors Shohei Ohtani with billboards displaying all HR’s and SB’s from historic season

Los Angeles Dodgers' Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani has enjoyed a record-breaking year in his first team with the team this season. To celebrate his historic season, billboards were put out in his native country.

MLB.com's official X/Twitter account shared pictures of billboards spread all across Japan showcasing Ohtani's achievements from the historic 2024 season where he became the first player to the 50-50 mark in MLB history.

The billboards spread all across Japan's capital, Tokyo, showcase every home run and stolen base from his 54-59 season (54 home runs and 59 steals). Although he fell short in his pursuit of an unprecedented 60-60 season, the Japanese phenom has arguably established himself as the face of the MLB.

Shohei Ohtani unfazed by air of expectancy in first postseason appearance

The Japanese two-way phenom has been restricted to being a designated hitter for the Dodgers in his first year of a 10-year, $700 million deal due to his Tommy John Surgery in the offseason.

However, despite not being able to pitch this season, Ohtani has contributed massively to the Dodgers' pursuit of the coveted World Series title. While the NL West team is used to playing October baseball, this will be the two-time MVP's first time playing in the postseason since making his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018.

But Ohtani is not flustered about the challenge that awaits him in his first postseason appearance with an air of expectancy surrounding the Dodgers superstar (via MLB.com):

“It’s always been my childhood dream to be able to be in an important situation, to play in important games,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “So I think the excitement of that is greater than anything else that I could possibly feel.”

Although the Dodgers are one of the strong contenders for a World Series run with the NL MVP contender in fine form this season, Ohtani and Co. will face a stiff test against division rivals San Diego Padres in the NLDS, starting on Saturday.

The Dodgers will host the first two games of the best-of-five series at Dodger Stadium and travel to Petco Park for the next two. They will return home for a series decider if it goes to Game 5.