"Shohei Ohtani wanted to jump on it" - Jack Flaherty shares Dodgers teammate's generous gesture during his birthday outing

Jack Flaherty's birthday was on Oct. 15, and his teammate Shohei Ohtani made a generous gesture. It was a travel day between NLCS games but the team still went out to celebrate, and Ohtani reportedly picked up the tab for everyone.

Flaherty said the team celebrated once again when they got to Los Angeles and that Ohtani wanted to foot the bill.

"We got plenty of guys that could've picked it up, but Sho wanted to jump on it," Flaherty said. "We went out to dinner. It was a team event, I was the only one there celebrating my birthday, but we like to go out to dinner. We did it again when we got into town. It's kind of what we do."

In December 2023, Ohtani signed a 10-year $700 million contract with the LA Dodgers. However, the team deferred most of it, so his actual salary for the season is $2 million.

Flaherty pitched well in the Dodgers' opening win of the World Series. He only gave up a two-run home run to Giancarlo Stanton in the eventual walk-off victory.

Should the New York Yankees stave off defeat on Tuesday night, Flaherty would be in line to take the ball in Game 5 opposite Gerrit Cole.

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Jack Flaherty addresses Game 1 start

Through five innings, Jack Flaherty was cruising against the Yankees. However, Giancarlo Stanton stepped in and gave the Yankees the lead, which ended Flaherty's night.

Jack Flaherty addressed his first start (Imagn)

Flaherty discussed his mindset during the game, and also praised Stanton:

“Just one pitch at a time," Flaherty said after Game 1, via Dodger Blue. "It was an incredible atmosphere, unbelievable setting. That dude over there, he’s a stud. It’s just one pitch at a time."

He acknowledged that he made a mistake and that Stanton hit it well:

“[It's] what he’s done all postseason and throughout his entire career," Flaherty added. "So you’d like that one back, but you’ve got to go out and get ready for the next one. So it was good."

Flaherty said he made adjustments after that outing and that he'll be ready for the next one. If the Dodgers win Game 4, they will sweep the Yankees and won't need Flaherty for the second time in the series.