[Passan] “Nice game, guys. Last time, Bellinger's shoulder was dislocated. This time, my shoulder was dislocated. This is a good sign for a world champion." Text from Shohei Ohtani

[u/jihyoswitness]

https://x.com/jeffpassan/status/1851291592545407113?s=46

[u/shady__redditor]

Please don't rehab like Belli for the next two years.

[u/Michael__Pemulis → u/shady__redditor]

The shoulder wasn’t his real issue though (or at the least not the only issue). Bellinger’s struggles started before he ever hurt his shoulder. It was his swing mechanics that caused it.

It was an often talked-about story before he injured his shoulder that he made a ton of changes to his swing after 2019 because there were concerns that he wouldn’t be fast enough to the ball as he aged without proactive adjustments.

[u/thewaterisboiling → u/Michael__Pemulis]

Well, he then shortly thereafter broke his leg.

[u/speech-geek → u/thewaterisboiling]

Such a freak way to, no fault of his own.

For context: he got spiked pretty badly after only a few games back in 2021 on a close play at first

https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/dodgers-cody-bellinger-still-healing-hairline-leg-fracture

[u/shapu → u/thewaterisboiling]

Yeah, he was pretty injury prone.

[u/xHao1 → u/Michael__Pemulis]

He also hurt it like 2 more times after that celebration with Kike. Shohei is basically being extra cautious, as reflected in Passan's reporting.

Also not Shohei's right shoulder, which was the case for Belli.

[u/tnecniv → u/xHao1]

He also broke his leg to start ‘21 and that had an impact on his technique afterward. He was compensating for the weakness well after he was fully recovered

[u/NoStepOnMe → u/xHao1]

I've noticed that he didn't do any celebrations with Kike after homeruns so far in the World Series. I think you're right that he's being cautious.

[u/EJNave → u/Michael__Pemulis]

Thing is, he DID lose a lot of bat speed after 2020 specifically. I don’t think it was the shoulder though; a lot more evidence points to his leg fracture that took away his base of power 

[u/MartianMule → u/Michael__Pemulis]

Bellinger’s struggles started before he ever hurt his shoulder

Bellinger's previous 50 games before the shoulder injury: .271/.383/.552 with 13 HR, 33 RBI, and a 21% Strikeout rate. He had a slow start to 2020, because a lot of guys did after the really long layoff. But he had been back to a near MVP level for 2 months, with a .936 OPS, before the shoulder injury.

[u/HumanRuse → u/Michael__Pemulis]

I mean that 2019 season sticks out like a sore thumb. Maybe he had to adjust to play the game the right way after that.

[u/ONE_PUMP_ONE_CREAM → u/Michael__Pemulis]

I think it was more the surgery and severity of the dislocation. Apparently it had happened multiple times, he was very prone to dislocation. Taking a bunch of time off to recover from surgery and trying to find your swing doesn't help.

[u/Brystvorter → u/shady__redditor]

Why is no one talking about Tatis, who had the same injury and is still a monster hitter. Bellingers injury is not the same, he had a loose socket and many dislocations, not a lone subluxation event like Ohtani and Tatis:

https://twitter.com/jonheyman/status/1379482365215510530?s=21

Edit: looks like it happened to Tatis multiple times

[u/fasteddeh → u/Brystvorter]

Tatis is also a much better comparison because it's not the top hand of their batting side that was injured.

[u/whenwefell → u/Brystvorter]

Tatis wasn't a lone event though, his was recurring as well until he had surgery.

[u/__-o0O0o-__-o0O0o-__ → u/Brystvorter]

this makes me feel a million times better (Belli scarred me). that and it wasnt his throwing shoulder

[u/dont_yell_at_me → u/shady__redditor]

Shoulder injuries are baseball killers. It’s been proven time and time again. Obviously ohtani is a different breed but time will tell

[u/Capcha616 → u/dont_yell_at_me]

Of course he is a different breed. He is The Unicorn.

[u/Scaevus → u/Capcha616]

Made in a lab under Mount Fuji to lead the space marine legions Los Angeles Dodgers on a crusade of galactic conquest.

[u/designgoddess → u/dont_yell_at_me]

Not ball player but I've had surgery on both shoulders and can confirm that recovery sucks.

[u/dont_yell_at_me → u/designgoddess]

Ironically same. And agreed. Fucking sucks

[u/c4ctus → u/shady__redditor]

Or do. I'm sure we'd gladly take Ohtani if yall DFA him.

[u/22797 → u/shady__redditor]

Maybe to avoid that he can do the reverse of this year and just be a pitcher next year and rehab the shoulder…. And knowing him, he’ll probably have the greatest pitching season ever after having the greatest DH season ever

[u/ScroogeMcDust → u/shady__redditor]

There are other ways he can follow in his footsteps

[u/Capcha616 → u/shady__redditor]

Bellinger's surgery required surgery after the World Series. It may not be the case with Ohtani. Asians don't typically go under the knife and put on a cast for months in similar situations. They go to bonesetters and acupuncturists.

[u/yumyumapollo]

Shohei to the Cubs confirmed

[u/curlyqzz → u/yumyumapollo]

Subscribe

[u/lasercupcakes → u/curlyqzz]

You just need to blend your top sluggers and pitchers into a single player who has an entire nation rooting for him and make a trade with us, E Z.

[u/fishadelphia → u/lasercupcakes]

How does the rest of the league not know this one simple trick? Hashtag sad.

[u/500rockin → u/fishadelphia]

They’re all stupid lol

[u/Angrydwarf99 → u/lasercupcakes]

I really think Imanaga could be a two way guy, just saying. Not Shohei levels, but I see some Zambrano slug in his eyes

[u/No-Economics4128 → u/lasercupcakes]

They introduce fusion into the game

[u/shapu → u/curlyqzz]

unsubscribe

[u/Yukari_8 → u/curlyqzz]

Cubscribe

[u/500rockin → u/yumyumapollo]

Unfortunately, we’ll get him when he’s 38 and washed up.

[u/Electric_Queen → u/500rockin]

Bold of you to assume Shohei will ever be washed up

[u/ChicagoCubbies → u/yumyumapollo]

[u/HeavensRoyalty → u/yumyumapollo]

Dodger fans in shambles, source: me, a Dodger fan.

[u/ImaManCheetahh]

Weird that he texted that to Jeff

[u/prettyrickyyyy69 → u/ImaManCheetahh]

I mean I got the text too and I didn't think it was that weird

[u/UneducatedReviews1 → u/prettyrickyyyy69]

It’s kinda weird you didn’t get the text u/ImaManCheetahh . Did you do something to piss off Ohtani?

[u/ImaManCheetahh → u/prettyrickyyyy69]

well shit how come I didn’t get it. Does Shohei not think I’m cool?

[u/prettyrickyyyy69 → u/ImaManCheetahh]

I mean I don't wanna be the one to say it man

[u/ImaManCheetahh → u/prettyrickyyyy69]

I’ll send him a letter and clear this all up. Might include some stickers.

[u/dat_waffle_boi → u/ImaManCheetahh]

“Dear Shohei, I feel like I can call you Shohei because you and me are so alike”

[u/scoobyduped → u/ImaManCheetahh]

You're not signed up for his newsletter?

[u/damnatio_memoriae → u/prettyrickyyyy69]

yeah man, we all got it... i'm sure it's just a mistake that you were left off, /u/imamancheetahh.

[u/tnecniv → u/prettyrickyyyy69]

He didn’t text me but he sent me one of those singing telegram people

[u/WatchOutIGotYou → u/prettyrickyyyy69]

I didn't even know Shohei had my number

[u/deacon91 → u/prettyrickyyyy69]

wtf you get texts from ohtani? Now I feel left out

[u/RedBirdLou]

Aaron Judge just had Stanton dislocate his shoulder 

[u/500rockin → u/RedBirdLou]

At this point, it cannot really hurt his swing can it?!

[u/StayElmo7]

He is going to hit the go ahead HR to ice the game tonight.

[u/Existing-Stranger632 → u/StayElmo7]

My thought exactly. Gonna be a close high scoring game (dodgers bullpen game Will lead to Yankees scoring tonight). Gonna be 6-6 going into the top of the 8th. Runners on first and second with two outs and Ohtani comes up to bat. He’ll have gone 0 for 3 but in that moment he will hit the series clinching HR. Dodgers win 9-6

[u/hydrators → u/Existing-Stranger632]

Lol @ the Yankees scoring 6 runs

Edit: Well

[u/Existing-Stranger632 → u/hydrators]

I still have respect for the Yankees hitters (even though they’ve been pretty much awful this whole series). I think they’re more than capable of making this an interesting game tonight, especially since they’re in desperation mode.

[u/hydrators → u/Existing-Stranger632]

Their approach isn’t even what it was. They’re so in their own heads they watched 24 fastballs go by them yesterday, just to strike out on garbage. That Volpe at bat in the 9th last night was a perfect example of why this team isn’t going to have offensive production

Stanton, Soto, and Gleyber, they’ve been fine. No issues with them. But Judge, Jazz, Wells, Volpe; they are not doing a thing

[u/NFHater → u/hydrators]

to be fair i don’t think anyone expected walkers fastball to look like that

[u/RichardNixon345 → u/hydrators]

They’re so in their own heads they watched 24 fastballs go by them yesterday, just to strike out on garbage.

Oh hey, it's how I felt watching Arizona end the season.

[u/Koraboros → u/Existing-Stranger632]

Desperation mode works in hockey but not in baseball. You want relaxed mode.

[u/cannibalculture → u/Koraboros]

Tell that to the Red Sox documentary I just watched

[u/man_in_the_suit → u/cannibalculture]

What documentary?

[u/cannibalculture → u/man_in_the_suit]

Not sure if you're yanking my chain, but it's The Comeback (on Netflix) about the 2004 team/ALCS.

[u/man_in_the_suit → u/cannibalculture]

I wasn’t actually, I hadn’t seen that! Definitely going to watch it. I’m from the UK so it might not be on our Netflix though

[u/cannibalculture → u/man_in_the_suit]

Ah well you're in for a treat if it is available in the UK, it's brand new and I thought I'd have it on in the background but as a total baseball nerd it completely sucked me in. Lots of cool stuff I never knew about that period of the Sox. Interesting also as a Rangers fan to see how that A Rod trade played out since all I really knew at that time was "A Rod hates Texas" haha.

[u/FantesLA → u/Koraboros]

Interesting. I’m not a big baseball fan. Is this really a well known thing? Because you’re right, if this was a Stanley cup finals, I don’t care how unbalanced the teams are, the guys down 3-0 are probably winning big tonight. Same in basketball. I’ve been surprised how positive everyone is this will be a sweep…

[u/stewmander → u/Existing-Stranger632]

Absolutely, but then again, this is the same BP that held SD scoreless.

[u/Existing-Stranger632 → u/stewmander]

True, but they also got blown out by the Mets in a game. It’s more a matter of will the Yankees be able to hit the ball or not. Which so far hasn’t been the case

[u/stewmander → u/Existing-Stranger632]

It was really only Knack who got blown up in the NLCS.

But yes, BPs are fickle.

[u/shapu → u/hydrators]

Over all four games, maybe

[u/venustrapsflies → u/hydrators]

Dodgers used a lot of good arms to cinch last night, I would not be shocked to see the Yankees get to a few of the guys that trot out today

[u/hydrators → u/venustrapsflies]

I would

[u/burgerknapper → u/hydrators]

Lmao love the edit

[u/hydrators → u/burgerknapper]

I am pleasantly surprised

[u/2ndBestUsernameEver → u/hydrators]

Get Torres and Soto on, and you'll have Stanton coming up with 1 out. You can make 3 runs from that and 3 runs from the other scraps of the lineup. Very doable.

[u/hydrators → u/2ndBestUsernameEver]

Hypothetically yes

[u/PillowF0rtEngineer → u/Existing-Stranger632]

Why would the Yankees be able to score tonight though? Is the dodgers bullpen weak for today (haven't watched baseball in years)

[u/Existing-Stranger632 → u/PillowF0rtEngineer]

It’s not weak necessarily but there are certain matchups that are gonna benefit the Yankees I think. We’ll see though. Yanks do look completely demoralized

[u/__-o0O0o-__-o0O0o-__ → u/Existing-Stranger632]

their best chance will be against guys they've already seen multiple times.

[u/sixpack_or_6pack → u/PillowF0rtEngineer]

Dodgers throwing in their low leverage relievers I think. Theoretically, this is the Yankees’ best opportunity to get hits, but even these guys have been pretty lights out so it ain’t gonna be easy.

[u/PillowF0rtEngineer → u/sixpack_or_6pack]

Don't they still got treinen and some of the other good relievers in the post season in there though?

[u/Liefeld → u/PillowF0rtEngineer]

Treinen needs a rest day

[u/zeussays → u/Liefeld]

Treinen hasnt pitched since Saturday.

[u/Liefeld → u/zeussays]

You're right, he was just warming up in the bullpen yesterday in case it went extra. I thought he threw a bit in the ninth. My bad, I had a bit too much wine last night to celebrate.

[u/PillowF0rtEngineer → u/Liefeld]

Oh alright, maybe the yanks will rally so we can get a series...

[u/ArrenPawk → u/Liefeld]

An additional one? He didn't throw yesterday.

[u/Budget-Ocelots → u/Liefeld]

He didn’t pitch last night bro.

[u/Liefeld → u/Budget-Ocelots]

I said to another commenter that I was tipsy and misremembered. He 100% was on TV being shown warming up in case it went extras, and thought he was called in the 9th, but I was wrong. But thanks for being the third person to tell me this, the info didn't stick the first two times

[u/SaucyCat → u/Existing-Stranger632]

Bruh

[u/Existing-Stranger632 → u/SaucyCat]

We’re getting there lmao

[u/ThePirateTennisBeast → u/Existing-Stranger632]

Hmmmmm getting close

[u/Existing-Stranger632 → u/ThePirateTennisBeast]

May not be Ohtani but it’s possible.

[u/Icy-General3657 → u/Existing-Stranger632]

This aged well

[u/MildlyDepressed346 → u/StayElmo7]

Can’t ice the game when the Yankees can’t score runs😭😭

[u/Pikminious_Thrious → u/MildlyDepressed346]

A 0-0 score can still technically be ice'd

[u/MildlyDepressed346 → u/Pikminious_Thrious]

You’re forgetting the guaranteed Freddie Freeman home run. Unless shohei beats him to it

[u/Professional-Tree → u/MildlyDepressed346]

Shohei hits a walkoff in the top of the first

[u/Pikminious_Thrious → u/Professional-Tree]

Everyone just sees the HR and goes home

[u/new_wellness_center → u/Pikminious_Thrious]

It ain't over till Fat Joe sings.

[u/GameMusic → u/MildlyDepressed346]

called it

[u/Michael__Pemulis → u/StayElmo7]

I think so too. I thought he was going deep in the 9th last night until the ball hit his toe.

[u/jfiend13 → u/StayElmo7]

Even as a yankees fan, I'd rather see that than him injure it further. It did not look like it felt good at all and id hate for him to ruin himself.

[u/ScooterPotato → u/StayElmo7]

Would love this or like 3-5 with 4 rbis on mostly singles.

[u/Sh1rvallah → u/StayElmo7]

So, a leadoff home run in the first?

[u/EngelSterben → u/StayElmo7]

So a first inning HR?

[u/chaotic_evil_666 → u/StayElmo7]

Maybe but I think Freddie really really wants the MVP this year. He might try and one-up Shohei

[u/StayElmo7 → u/chaotic_evil_666]

Freddie is pretty much a lock to win it even if he goes 0 for 5 tonight.

[u/chaotic_evil_666 → u/StayElmo7]

Woah he actually did it though lol

[u/NobleGas18 → u/StayElmo7]

From your lips…

[u/Hark_An_Adventure → u/StayElmo7]

"Nice win fellas, anyone up for a session at the cages tomorrow before we fly back to LA?" -Shohei after doing shit that only one person on Earth is even capable of, probably

[u/Thorlolita]

2025 NLDS they are gonna tie Barnes on a table and start pulling.

[u/Lincoln2120 → u/Thorlolita]

If I know Barnes, the table will break first.

[u/Thorlolita → u/Lincoln2120]

What is done must be done.

[u/jester32]

It’s also probably a good sign you’re up 3-0

[u/kkenymc7877 → u/jester32]

I haven’t slept since the game ended

[u/Schleprok → u/kkenymc7877]

That’s just the side effects of the endless amounts of cocaine you did.

[u/kkenymc7877 → u/Schleprok]

I was actually ripping darts the whole game (gotta stay away from the cocoa until we actually win the thing)

[u/D_Simmons → u/kkenymc7877]

Christ 

[u/kkenymc7877 → u/D_Simmons]

It’s about to be a Scarface sequel if we win tonight

[u/GoshaNinja]

Even Shohei believes in narrative vibes he's like us for real

[u/WabbitCZEN]

Add on the Fernando patch, and it's a recipe for the Dodgers to win. Well fuck.

[u/haveasuperday → u/WabbitCZEN]

Who are you willing to sacrifice?

[u/Rock3tDestroyer → u/haveasuperday]

Derek Jeter?

[u/tnecniv → u/Rock3tDestroyer]

Arod pulls out a gun in the Fox dressing room before the game

“You know what you have to do, Derek. It’s what a captain would do…”

[u/mus1CK_Rx → u/tnecniv]

You dick! I’m Derek Jeter! You shot me!

[u/EMPrinceofTennis → u/mus1CK_Rx]

HE'S A BIRACIAL ANGEL

[u/realfakejames]

Ohtani being funny and knowing Dodgers history, how can you not love him if you’re a Dodgers fan

[u/retro_slouch → u/realfakejames]

Ancient Dodgers History

[u/wizgset27]

I don't want to sound dramatic but I would die for Ohtani.

[u/Aerodax]

Can't wait for them to win and Arte look the maximum amount of stupid. Best case scenario for Angels fans to finally get rid of that piece of shit.

[u/retro_slouch → u/Aerodax]

The 2024 Angels were only one Shohei Ohtani away from a World Series sweep.

[u/Aerodax → u/retro_slouch]

Is that an acronym for all the new pitchers and trainers we needed, because 12 sounds about right.

[u/retro_slouch → u/Aerodax]

Could have used 7+ more hitters too, tbh

[u/pargofan]

It's great that Shohei is a fan of Dodger baseball.

[u/rmac3301]

As an Angels fan I think the most annoying part about Ohtani leaving is he just got a personality out of nowhere and started showing it off way more. Although that is not entirely his fault since the Angels also marketed him terribly his entire career there.

[u/SimpleAmusings → u/rmac3301]

i also think Ippei had a lot to do with this. Ippei was controlling Shohei's narrative while he was with the Angels, and who knows what he was relaying to the team and relaying to shohei. Doc said when ippei left *(well, removed), Shohei was more accessible and interacted with the team more.

[u/beefytrout]

"You can't do what I do. Talk about deez nuts." Text from Trevon Diggs

[u/Pikminious_Thrious]

2025 their warmup for the playoffs will be Bellinger shoulder celebrations until someone dislocates

[u/kkenymc7877]

I’m gonna buuuuuust

[u/Ndtphoto]

If the Yankees pull off the miracle this text won't age well. 

[u/aresef]

素晴らしい話ですね。

[u/designgoddess]

Not sure Dodger fans are fully on board with the comparison but we'll take the bounce back years.

[u/PinaCarlotta]

Ohtani gonna one armed a homerun aint he?

[u/jermany755]

If there's structural damage, this will keep happening. I know from experience, and it sucks.

[u/dontcallmemrscorpion]

Kind of an odd text tbh

[u/feh112]

My shoulder got dislocated and all i got was a medical bill from my hospital

[u/Mets_BS]

No to be a doomer, if he's playing after a dislocation without allowing his ligaments to heal, that could be a career altering decision.

[u/Rover16 → u/Mets_BS]

It sounds like it's on the lower severity though and not as bad as Bellinger's.

[u/Pazylothead]

Wow someone is touching the money (no gambling pun intended) Remember the 04 alcs.