USA Today via Reuters
Aug 30, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 30, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports
Shohei Ohtani’s incredible power streak in the 2024 season has been impossible to miss. But have you ever wondered what fuels this phenomenon? Tommy Maestas, a former baseball player who shone as an All-District shortstop for the University of Utah, has recently shed some light on Ohtani’s secret sauce. But to decode that, one has to know about the tactics in the sports, so how did the 29-year-old manage to figure it out? Well, all because Maestas has a deep relationship with the sport himself. While Tommy ditched the traditional route, now, he’s on a mission to help athletes unlock the secrets of how the central nervous system controls motion.
With the help of his research, Tommy has uncovered some intriguing insights into why Ohtani is absolutely crushing it this season, with a jaw-dropping 53 home runs. Can you guess what makes Ohtani’s swing so special? It’s not just the sheer power he packs or some magical bat, according to Tommy Maestas, the real “magic” lies in his lateral prehension grip. But how does this contribute to his record-breaking 50-50 feats? The former baseball player explained how the intrinsic muscles in Ohtani’s hands grip the bat with precision, allowing the extrinsic muscles in his forearms to extend his wrists perfectly when he swings. It’s all about that powerful connection.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The “magic” of Shohei Ohtani’s swing…..A lateral prehension grip.
The intrinsic muscles of his hands grip the bat, which allows the extrinsic muscles in his forearm to extend his wrists when he swings.
The majority of the musculoskeletal movement in the swing is involuntary… pic.twitter.com/WRrusdRPH0
— Tommy Maestas (@tommym8) September 22, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In simpler terms, while most of the musculoskeletal movement in a swing is involuntary, how a hitter grasps the bat is totally VOLUNTARY. Those intentional movements set the stage for the automatic ones that follow. But here’s another question to ponder: Do you think he’s holding the bat the same way with both hands? Or is it really the top hand that makes all the difference?
Tommy Maestas pointed out that Shohei Ohtani holds the bat the same way in both hands—it’s essential for that swing of his. His right forearm pronates during the loading phase and then, supinates as he swings. While his magic grip might seem like the detail—something only a true baseball aficionado would decode—there’s another charm he works off the field that everyone notices: advertising!
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Shohei Ohtani a magician of advertising?
Just look at how Shohei Ohtani’s popularity has helped the Dodgers multiply their advertising revenue in less than a year. It was a smart move, considering the Los Angeles Dodgers almost broke the bank to sign Ohtani when he became a free agent last offseason. The 30-year-old inked a jaw-dropping 10-year, $700 million contract at the end of the 2023 season; and the on-field investment has been paying off big time. Everyone sees the records he’s smashing every day, but he is doing wonders for the team off the field too.
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) walks through the dugout with his dog Decoy after delivering the first pitch before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Ohtani has been making a tremendous impact on the financial side of the Dodgers franchise. The team earned just $500,000 from advertising on the outfield wall at Dodger Stadium in 2023, and that figure has absolutely skyrocketed in 2024. Can you guess how much? It jumped to a staggering $6.5 million following Ohtani’s signing. Whether it’s his trading cards, bobbleheads, or T-shirts, you name the merch—fans are lining up for hours just to get their hands on it. Hence, all this buzz is not just boosting the fan experience; it’s also contributing to the franchise’s financial success.
Even if we keep the merchandise aside, whenever the Dodgers play with Shohei Ohtani is in the lineup, ticket sales go through the roof. Did you know that the highest recorded attendance at Dodger Stadium was on the night of Ohtani’s bobblehead giveaway? With all this excitement, it’s clear he’s just as impactful off the field as he is on it. Now that you’re familiar with the sauce behind his on-field success and his MVP race, even as a DH—thanks to insights from Tommy Maestas, what do you think fuels his off-field triumph? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
Have something to say?
Let the world know your perspective.
Debate
Is Shohei Ohtani's swing the best we've ever seen in MLB history? Let's hear your thoughts!