HOUSTON (AP) — Shohei Ohtani’s record-breaking two-way brilliance is rewriting the story of modern baseball — and at the same time, shaping the Los Angeles Dodgers’ pursuit of a dynasty.

After another championship parade rolled through Chavez Ravine, it was Ohtani — not just the team’s most talented player but also its emotional centerpiece — who drew the loudest cheers. His comeback to the mound this season, after undergoing elbow surgery in late 2023, signaled the return of one of the game’s rarest talents.

Ohtani didn’t simply return; he dominated. The 30-year-old superstar finished the 2025 regular season with a .282 batting average, 55 home runs, 102 RBIs and a 1.014 OPS, while recording a 2.87 ERA across 14 starts and striking out 62 hitters in 47 innings, according to MLB.com. It was another MVP-worthy campaign that combined power, precision and poise — proof that his long rehabilitation was worth every setback.

“It’s special watching him do things that have never been done before,” manager Dave Roberts told reporters after the Dodgers’ championship rally Monday. “Shohei isn’t just leading this team — he’s redefining what’s possible in baseball.”

Ohtani’s journey from recovery to dominance was part of a long-term plan the Dodgers carefully constructed after signing him to a record $700 million contract in December 2023, per ESPN. His first year in Los Angeles was limited to hitting while he healed from surgery, but by the start of 2025, his return to the mound had become one of the sport’s most-anticipated storylines.

And Ohtani lived up to the hype. In May, he made his long-awaited pitching debut at Dodger Stadium, striking out eight batters over five innings and earning a standing ovation that lasted long after he left the field. From that point forward, his performances routinely filled highlight reels — a home run one night, a seven-strikeout outing the next.

At Monday’s rally, Ohtani stood before thousands of fans and shared his next goal. “I’m already thinking about the third time we’re going to do this,” he said, echoing Roberts’ call for a “three-peat.”

The Dodgers have now captured three titles in the past six years, cementing what team president Andrew Friedman calls “the golden era of Dodgers baseball,” according to The Associated Press. They’ve also won five National League pennants in the last nine years and 12 NL West titles in 13 seasons — dominance that few modern teams have matched.

“Definitionally, it’s a dynasty,” Friedman said. “We want to keep adding to it, to make it something that people after us have a hard time reaching.”

A Global Icon with Local Impact

For Ohtani, the success extends far beyond the box score. His combination of humility, global appeal and relentless work ethic has made him one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. In September, Reuters reported that he topped MLB jersey sales for the third straight season, a reflection of his growing influence both in Japan and the United States.

Off the field, 2025 was also a milestone year for the star. In April, Ohtani and his wife announced the birth of their first child, an event he described as a “wonderful day” and one of the happiest moments of his life, according to Reuters. His rare balance between superstar status and quiet family life has only deepened fans’ admiration.

Ohtani has also used his platform to help shape the Dodgers’ clubhouse culture. According to Sports Illustrated, he personally encouraged veteran infielder Miguel Rojas to remain with the team, emphasizing the value of leadership and chemistry in maintaining championship standards.

“He’s a once-in-a-generation player,” first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “He shows up every day ready to compete — and that energy rubs off on everyone here.”

What Comes Next

With Ohtani fully healthy heading into 2026, expectations are soaring. Dodgers officials have said there will be no restrictions on his pitching workload next year, meaning fans could see the first full season of a completely unleashed two-way Ohtani in Los Angeles, MLB.com reported.

The team’s core — Ohtani, Freeman, and Mookie Betts — remains intact, while rising young talent provides depth around them. Los Angeles opened as +350 favorites to win the 2026 World Series, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

Even with longtime ace Clayton Kershaw retiring, the organization remains built to contend. Roberts called his current roster “one of the most complete teams I’ve ever managed.”

Ohtani, meanwhile, has become the heartbeat of that identity — a superstar who measures success not in awards, but in rings. His unique blend of discipline and adaptability has set a new benchmark for what a baseball player can achieve.

“I think about where he was five years ago and where he is now,” Friedman said. “He’s evolved in every way — as a player, a leader, and a person. And he’s still just getting started.”

For Ohtani, that evolution continues. His comeback from injury, record-setting performances, and unwavering focus have turned him from a global sensation into the defining player of baseball’s current era.

And as the Dodgers aim for their third straight title, Ohtani’s story — his resilience, brilliance, and balance — stands at the heart of it all. With the offseason approaching, all eyes are on how he’ll prepare for a full return to two-way dominance in 2026. The team’s management has already hinted at a careful plan to ease him back onto the mound, while keeping his bat hot in the lineup. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see whether Ohtani’s next chapter will solidify his legacy not just as a Dodgers great, but as one of the most transformative players in baseball history.