Shohei Ohtani had another MVP-worthy season in 2024, leading baseball with 54 home runs, 130 RBI, .390 OBP and .646 slugging among other statistical categories. He also stole 59 bases and founded the 50/50 club. On top of all that, when he hits a home run it makes arguably the coolest sound in all of sports.
So it's no surprise that people are excited to see him perform in the postseason. Ohtani delivered in his first-ever playoff appearance, hitting a home run and going 2-for-5 in Game 1 of the NLDS. He was 0-for-4 in Game 2, but people were still very interested in seeing the best hitter in baseball at the plate which is why FS1 is employing a very helpful graphic that pops up from time to time to let viewers know that even thought they don't see Shohei Ohtani, he's still at the ballpark and will be hitting again soon so please don't change the channel.
The graphic debuted in Game 1, not long after Ohtani homered in the second inning. During the top of the fourth, wtih Fernando Tatis Jr. at bat for the Padres, a life-size Ohtani appeared on the scorebug teasing that he might bat in the next half-inning if one of his teammates at the bottom of the order was able to reach base.
…at least try to hide the bias? pic.twitter.com/K7ab8LdHOs
— cook (@cook17) October 6, 2024
Two teammates actually got on and Ohtani, batting fourth in the inning, as promised, singled.
Later, once the Dodgers had taken the lead and were threatening, the Ohtani graphic again foretold the return of the 2024 hit king. Unfortunately, a double-play and a pop fly pushed his plate appearance to the sixth inning and he struck out.
When has the Ohtani worship gone too far?
— Not Gaetti (@notgaetti) October 6, 2024
Is this what it looks like? pic.twitter.com/CeeHeMSzmr
The graphic returned in Game 2 and was used somewhat liberally. When the Dodgers fell behind early on Sunday, Ohtani was looming.
I don’t get complaining about this it’s so fucking funny pic.twitter.com/F38D9nN7W3
— Jane (@JaneOst_) October 7, 2024
At this point it is now impossible to tell which graphics are real and which are photoshops mean to exaggerate just how ridiculous the graphic actually is. Did FS1 really tell people Ohtani was six batters away at some point?
Don't worry Jeff, Ohtani is only 6 batters away pic.twitter.com/oU3rCZe0Gh
— King Adell 👑 (@JoShowAdell) October 7, 2024
Was he really involved in the Joker sequel or vice presdiential debate?
Okay, this Shohei Ohtani graphic thing is getting slightly out of hand... 😏#SDvsLAD #ITFDB #FortheFaithful #Padres #Dodgers #ALDS #MLB pic.twitter.com/UDZNEzyKxu
— Super Halo Bros. ⚾️ (@SuperHaloBros) October 7, 2024
All we know for sure is that they would not actually tell us how far away he is when he just batted. Right?
Ok this is out of hand MLB pic.twitter.com/eYyBt6kkCB
— Mike Dro (@MikeDro_) October 7, 2024
All the information, math, statistics and science in the world and sometimes you just want to know when the top of the order is up again. This whole one-through-nine batting order thing that baseball has used for a 150-plus years just isn't cutting it anymore. It's about time that the analytical revolution in baseball finally told us the only thing we really need to know—when do we get to see the guy who hits the dingers again?
Luckily, FS1 has us covered.
This article was originally published on www.si.com as FS1 is the Industry Leader in Graphics Telling You When Shohei Ohtani Bats Again.
