Dodger Stadium was buzzing like a beehive on Thursday night—not just with the anticipation of a baseball game—but with the sheer electricity of Shohei Ohtani’s bobblehead event. As a sea of blue engulfed Chavez Ravine, the atmosphere crackled with an energy rarely seen in Los Angeles.

The largest crowd since 2019, a staggering flow of 53,527 fans, transformed the stadium into a pulsating mass of Ohtanimania, hours before the bobblehead was actually launched. Parking lots overflowed as cars snaked around the stadium for hours, with the lines of the crowd snaking far beyond the main gate, even down the hill. Everyone, it seemed, was desperate to get their hands on that precious bobblehead—a beaming Ohtani, bat poised over his shoulder, encased in a vibrant, Japanese anime-inspired casing.

Unfortunately, only the first 40,000 were lucky enough to claim the coveted prize—but that couldn’t dampen the excitement among the rest! The secondary market exploded as soon as the toys were released: eBay listings sprouting like mushrooms after a splashy rain, with regular bobbleheads commanding upwards of $150, while the rare gray jersey versions fetched a jaw-dropping $2,300! Even StubHub’s tickets skyrocketed, reaching as high as $388. Yes, the “Shohei Ohtani effect” was in full swing.

Yet, in the midst of this bobblehead frenzy, a heartwarming story was unfolding. It was the one that transcended commercialism, touching the very soul of baseball itself. A thirteen-year-old kid named Albert experienced a moment that he’ll probably never forget. The baseball superstar surprised the devoted Ohtani fan—who is a patient at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital—in his hospital room, in a moment so surreal that the boy could only stare in disbelief.

“Nervous?” Shohei Ohtani asked gently, handing Albert a signed jersey. Then came the bombshell: the announcement that Albert would be throwing the ceremonial first pitch, with Ohtani himself behind the plate. Speechless and wide-eyed, the kid could only manage a bewildered “What the heck just happened?” after the Unicorn had left.

Even Albert’s family was stunned by his uncharacteristic silence. This wasn’t just a bobblehead night for him. It was a dream come true—a memory that will now be etched into his heart forever.

Shohei Ohtani’s gratitude shining through amidst bobblehead frenzy

Despite living through a 0-for-2 night in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 7-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, Ohtani was visibly touched by the outpouring of his fans’ support. “If I was a child… I would be very happy as well… It’s something that, uh, you know, I wanted to kinda return.” He said, through his interpreter, voice brimming with gratitude. “Just overall, a very nice setting to have, a lot of fans in the stands… I’m very appreciative that they all came tonight.” But the night wasn’t solely about Ohtani.

Elly De La Cruz, the Reds’ electrifying rookie, stole the show with a breathtaking performance, earning the admiration of even the Unicorn himself. “He’s a really good player,” acknowledged Shohei Ohtani. “I believe that the team really rallied around him today… Very impressive performance tonight.”

The Boys in Blue might not have secured the win, but they undoubtedly won the hearts of their fans yesterday night. With three more giveaways planned this season—a hat, another bobblehead, and a shirt—the Ohtani mania is showing absolutely no signs of abating.