In addition to his generational talents, Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is among the most even-keeled players across all sports.
That said, when he shows emotion, he means it.
During Los Angeles' season-saving Game 4 win over San Diego in the NLDS, that emotion was anger. In a rare moment, Ohtani was shown screaming at the third base umpire from the dugout.
What happened to make the Dodgers superstar so angry? Here is more on what led up to Ohtani's outburst and why he ended up showing so much emotion in the moment.
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Why was Shohei Ohtani mad?
Ohtani was mad because the third base umpire got in the way of a fair ball hit by teammate Teoscar Hernandez. Ohtani was at second base when Hernandez stepped to the plate. After Hernandez made great contact, Ohtani rounded third base with intentions of adding another run to the Dodgers' lead.
The umpire interfered by standing in the pathway of the hit from Hernandez, allowing Padres third baseman Manny Machado to make a play on the ball. Instead of Ohtani running home with no issue, Machado was able to throw the superstar out at the plate.
Manny Machado sticks with it and gets Shohei Ohtani at the plate! 😲 pic.twitter.com/dUdSLV970U
— MLB (@MLB) October 10, 2024
Making matters worse is that it was LA's third out, ending its half of the inning.
In the immediate aftermath, Ohtani was spotted in the dugout expressing himself toward the offending umpire in a colorful manner.
Shohei Ohtani wasn't thrilled with the third base umpire for interfering with the play 👀 pic.twitter.com/nWq0PHHjvN
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) October 10, 2024
Los Angeles would ultimately win, 8-0, but because its season was on the line, Ohtani's understanding that every run matters likely led to his rare moment of anger.
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Umpire interference, explained
Here is what the MLB rulebook states on interference in instances similar to the one above:
A fair ball touches a runner or an umpire on fair territory before it touches an infielder including the pitcher, or touches an umpire before it has passed an infielder other than the pitcher; runners advance, if forced. If a fair ball goes through, or by, an infielder, no other infielder has a chance to make a play on the ball and the ball touches a runner immediately behind the infielder that the ball went through, or by, the ball is in play and the umpire shall not declare the runner out. If a fair ball touches a runner after being deflected by an infielder, the ball is in play and the umpire shall not declare the runner out.
As specifically noted in the rulebook, "If a batted ball is deflected by a fielder in fair territory and hits a runner or an umpire while still in flight and then caught by an infielder it shall not be a catch, but the ball shall remain in play."
While difficult to decipher from the broadcast angle, many pointed out the ball appears to hit Machado's glove first, meaning it is deflected by a fielder in fair territory before hitting a runner. As outlined in the rules, the ball remained in play, allowing Machado to make the throw home.
