NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani heard boos from the Toronto Blue Jays faithful when he stepped into the batter’s box at Rogers Center to start Game 7 of the World Series on Saturday night, but he ended up making history.
Ohtani singled off Blue Jays starter Max Scherzer to start the game, calming the crowd for a brief moment. He became the first World Series starting pitcher to record a hit starting Game 7.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani is safe at second on a hit by Will Smith against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of Game 7 of the World Series of baseball, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Toronto. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
The last time a pitcher recorded a hit starting a Game 7 in the World Series was in 1975, when Cincinnati Reds star Don Gullet and Boston Red Sox starter Bill Lee both recorded hits.
If he gets a second hit, he will be the first starting pitcher to accomplish that feat.
Scherzer prepared and was able to calm down and retire Will Smith, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts after the single.
Ohtani managed to reach third position but failed to score.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of Game 7 of the World Series of baseball in Toronto, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
WORLD SERIES NATIONAL ANTHEM SINGERS DELIVER ELECTRIC PERFORMANCES PRE-GAME 7
The Dodgers star was also on the mound on three days’ rest as Los Angeles awaited a Hollywood finish despite a unique rule that could have prevented him from picking up the bat and taking the mound in the same game.
MLB instituted a rule that if a starting pitcher was in the batting lineup, he could continue to bat despite being taken off the mound, a rule that allows Ohtani to remain in the game after being removed as a starter.
However, if Ohtani were to start the game as the team’s designated hitter and then come in in relief, they would risk losing his powerful bat in the lineup by coming out as a pitcher.
The only way Ohtani could stay in the game after being used as a relief pitcher would be to play in the field, something he hasn’t done often in his career. The three-time MVP has played in the field just 8 1/3 innings in his career and hasn’t done so since 2021.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani greets his teammates in the bullpen before Game 7 of baseball’s World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Toronto. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
With all that in mind, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts put Ohtani on the mound, making sure they can keep his bat in the game no matter how long he pitches. It’s unclear how deep Ohtani will pitch into the game.
