The collective Dodgers Nation had a panic attack when Shohei Ohtani failed to get up from 2nd base during World Series Game 2. Was Shotime’s season over? That was the question in everyone’s mind, especially his teammates. But then, one text from Ohtani that said he’s okay lowered the temperatures. However, that doesn’t mean he’s pain-free. The star had to resort to some creative ways to power through this injury in Yankee Stadium.

It was visible right from when Ohtani stepped foot in the Yankee Stadium. Shohei Ohtani ran to the ballpark during his introduction with a visible device over his shoulder. Later Ohtani was asked about it and the star replied that it was a device he was using to heat his shoulder. At the same time, Ohtani is avoiding unnecessary movement on his left shoulder. Interestingly this wasn’t the only way the 30-year-old employed during Dodgers’ 4-2 win in World Series game 3.

Though the 2x AL MVP went hitless during the game, he did reach the base two times (a walk and a hit by pitch). During this time, the star employed a second method to reduce his shoulder’s movement. Shotime held his shirt tightly whenever he got ready to run. In a way, his arm was in a position usually seen in a brace or a sling. Did that help Ohtani? It possibly did as he revealed during the postgame interview.

“The reason why I was holding on to myself when I was running is to make sure that I wouldn’t use that same shoulder arm if I were to slide,” Ohtani revealed in his postgame interview. The superstar also revealed that his shoulder was in a better position now. “The pain has subsided, so I felt pretty good about it,” the Dodgers star said. That certainly gave a huge sigh of relief to Shohei Ohtani’s fanbase, who have shown up in droves to watch the star in the stadium and on television.

Shohei Ohtani’s presence soars World Series ratings in Japan

Just how big is Shohei Ohtani’s impact? Well, imagine 12 percent of a country’s population watching a game at 9 in the morning. How unusual is that? But somehow Shohei Ohtani has made it possible in this World Series. According to The Hollywood Reporter, game 2 of the World Series was watched by an average of 15.9 million viewers in Japan. Interestingly that’s more than the total viewership in the USA! 

13.8 million viewers watched the game in the USA. With a population of 346 million, the States almost has triple the number of people that Japan has. But that didn’t stop Japan from overtaking the USA in World Series ratings. That is the kind of craze that Ohtani controls in the country. However, this isn’t close to the end of great numbers. The 18-34 demographic is up a huge 94 percent! The 345 million social media views are the highest in World Series history, and so are the 25 million engagements.

All in all, this Fall Classic has been a tremendous success for MLB, but things aren’t over yet. The Dodgers are now 3-0 and just one win away from becoming World Champions. One can imagine just how high the interest in Japan will go to see Shohei Ohtani finally win the big one. Can the Dodgers do it tomorrow or will they have to wait till game 5? What do you think? Let us know in the comments.