Communication, remaining homework: How to deal with Otani being questioned - the future of the US Major League dual-wielding team (Part 1)

[Los Angeles Current Affairs] The Dodgers of the U.S. Major League Baseball lost in the National League Championship Series in the playoffs, ending this season. Shohei Otani played in both pitching and hitting from the start of the season for the first time in three years, but he was plagued by injuries starting in the summer and slumped in the final stages. They also fell short of their goal of winning the World Series for the third time in a row. We look back on Ohtani and the Dodgers, who had a disappointing season, and explore their future direction.

Dodgers lose 4 straight, Ohtani's 3-run shot goes blank, Brewers V - Major League Baseball

◇Dual swords with incomplete combustion

On September 9, Ohtani's name was not in the Dodgers' starting lineup. After the game that day, it was decided that he would be placed on the injured list (IL). Regarding Ohtani, who was removed from the starting lineup the day before, manager Roberts had stated that he would ``return to the lineup,'' but the situation has changed completely.

Behind this is an unusual situation that the team was unaware of. Otani felt some discomfort in his right arm when he took a swing in the game on the 7th, but he only informed the training staff after the game on the 8th. In response to this incident, the team reportedly asked Ohtani to notify him immediately if there were any problems.

Regarding his communication with Otani, Freedman, head of the team's organization, said that it was "great," but admitted that in terms of sharing information about his condition, "it wasn't that great." Some suggested that Ohtani did not take his symptoms seriously and thought it would be in the team's interest to continue playing.

Otani's attitude is consistent. ``It doesn't matter whether I'm in good or bad condition, participating in the game is one of my minimum duties.'' Looking ahead to the postseason, they agreed with the team that it would be best for him to join the IL, but the issue of how to reconcile mutual understandings became clear.

Wasn't Otani's decision to fully accept the wishes of Otani, who has a strong sense of responsibility, and continued to participate even though his condition was not good, resulting in a long-term slump? Even if the person feels like they can come out, it is sometimes necessary to put a stop to it. How will the team deal with Otani, who is the mainstay of the team and has an influential voice? This remains as future homework.