On Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium, Dusty Baker, the manager of the defending American League champion Houston Astros, had the pleasure of managing one of the best players to ever step on a baseball field.
Los Angeles Angels two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani is the player in question.
Ohtani got things started in the All-Star Game with a leadoff single against Clayton Kershaw.
But Baker revealed something about Ohtani that will make baseball fans laugh.
In an interview prior to the All-Star Game, he talked about how Ohtani always nods to him before his first at-bat.
Baker hopes Ohtani stops that so that he doesn’t have to nod back before he hits a home run against him.
Dusty Baker on Shohei Ohtani: “I admire him. He nods to me every time the first at-bat and then he hits a home run. I was like, hey man, quitting nodding at me because I’ve got to nod back. He’s a gentleman and you appreciate a gentleman competitor.” pic.twitter.com/YC9DzWcYHf
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) July 19, 2022
Ohtani, Baker Share Competitive Relationship
This is a hilarious quote from Baker.
It’s a nice, good-natured relationship these two have.
Baker acknowledged that he admires Ohtani for nodding before each at-bat and appreciates a gentleman competitor.
But of course, he wants Ohtani to stop hitting home runs against him.
It is nice though to see two guys on opposite sides have a nice, good-natured rivalry of sorts.
These two know that it’s all about playing for keeps and competing at every turn.
But at least Ohtani is respectful to Baker before he tears apart Astros pitching, right?
Ohtani is a special talent in today’s day and age and Baker is one of the best managers in the history of the game.
It’s almost like a nice showdown between old school and new school.
These two clearly have a ton of respect and admiration for each other and enjoy every bit of the competition that comes with the game of baseball.
We’ll see what happens the next time Ohtani nods at Baker.
NEXT: Shohei Ohtani Was An Easy Choice For His Latest Award