An example for us all: Ohtani, the Japanese marvel

If only a non-U.S. citizen could be president, I’d nominate LA Dodgers baseball great, Shohei Ohtani. The world could use more human beings like him (man or woman), just to bring a sense of peace to this screwed-up planet. It’s the simple things in life that can improve the human condition.

If you don’t know who Ohtani is, you’re not alone. Not everyone follows major league baseball.

In a nutshell, he’s only 31, but is considered by many to be the best player in the league today, and perhaps the GOAT. Only time will tell. In the modern era, he is the only one who can pitch as well as he can hit, which is why he’s already a five-time All Star, three-time MVP, and winner of a World Series.

Today, he is working off a 10year, $700 million contract with LA.

In the MLB, he’s the only player to ever to hit 50 homers and steal 50 bases in a single season.

Yet, by his demeanor on and off the field, a more humble, respectful to all people kind of guy, you’d be hard pressed to find.

He Stopped a Fight

It’s what Ohtani did last month during a game between the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres that showed him, again, for the class act he is. Which flies directly in the face of the macho male attitude, women, too, so characteristic of modern American society, where little to no quarter is ever given.

No, don’t worry about it, we’re cool.

Now it’s always a case of, “What, you lookin’ at me?”

Or, this from some female who just got mad at another: “Yo, girlfriend need a slap across the face to make her right?”

The whole country, or so it seems, has morphed into an old Jerry Springer show where two women (wife and girlfriend #3) are going at it over some hillbilly with only two teeth remaining and no job. Okay, four teeth if you count the wisdoms.

Ohtani, though, is just the opposite of what’s wrong with this country.

Following a bench-clearing incident that escalated tensions between the Dodgers and Padres during a game last month (June 19), Ohtani was hit by a pitch. A 100-mph fast ball that hit him square on the back, right below the shoulder blade.

Ouch, times at least three. In most games, that would clear both benches. Again. Both managers had already been ejected from the game, so tensions were already high.

Instead of reacting aggressively, though, or allowing the situation to escalate further, Ohtani took action to de-escalate the situation by waving off his teammates who appeared ready to clear the bench. Again. Ohtani smiled. Waved off his teammates again. Don’t worry about it. Didn’t hurt.

He then approached the Padres' dugout and had a calm conversation with Fernando Tatis Jr. who had also been hit by a pitch earlier in the game. He then goes back to first base and shakes the hand of San Diego’s first baseman.

Amazing show of class. Never seen anything like this before, said the announcers.

“This just adds to his mystique.”

Indeed.

When have we ever seen a player act like that in the MLB or any competitive sport?

The closest I can get is the PGAor maybe pro tennis, where sportsmanship is still valued.

If you haven’t seen the Ohtani clip, it’s worth going to YouTube and typing “Ohtani waves off Padres” in the search field. The video of that Padres’ incident is only 3:51 minutes long, but well worth watching.

In fact, it should be mandated viewing for kids starting in elementary, and then reviewed in middle school, high school, college.

Then, even more importantly, get all members of Congress to watch it, the White House, state houses, SCOTUS.

Ohtani could teach the world a lesson.

Instead of escalating a situation, take the high road and deescalate it.

These days, it seems like all we want to do is fight anyone who does us wrong. Real or perceived.

Shohei Ohtani, not only a great pitcher, hitter, but a great human being.

We could use more just like him.

A peacemaker. If you look up the YT vid, there will be a longer clip near the one just referenced that lasts 7:42. That vid clip shows the bench-clearing incident that led up to Ohtani getting hit. If you watch the way the two team managers act, Dodgers and Padres, react, that’s the way America is behaving now. Today. This week. Everyone in each other’s face. If not in person, then on drama TV, AKA, national news.