Shohei Ohtani’s alleged pregame tweak vs Padres adds fuel to Dodgers rivalry

Shohei Ohtani isn’t just known for being the greatest baseball player of all time, but he is also one of the kindest competitors you will ever play against. He’ll tip his cap to the umpire before every plate appearance, warn anyone if a foul ball is hit near someone, engage in friendly conversations with opponents when on base, and much more.

Ohtani is kind to anyone and everyone, doing so while being one of the greatest athletes of our generation. The kindness he shows never goes unnoticed, and it has made him a fan favorite across the league.

Shohei Ohtani’s alleged pregame shade at Padres pushes Dodgers rivalry even further

However, in a recent story by Forbes Magazine, Ohtani has changed up his pregame routine against one team that happens to be the Dodgers' division rivals down south.

Ohtani no longer tips his cap to Padres manager Mike Shildt or any players. This has to do with the fact that Robert Suarez drilled him with a 100 mph fastball in the series finale on June 19, which occurred after the benches cleared when Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit in the hands by Jack Little. Ohtani was intentionally hit twice over the four-game series between the two teams.

There has always been a rivalry between the two teams, but the bad blood between these two teams has built up recently when the Padres defeated the Dodgers in the National League Division Series in 2023.

What was already the biggest rivalry in today’s day and age of baseball may have gotten even bigger. These two teams truly hate each other, and the fact that the most polite player in the league is doing away from what he usually does pre-at-bat would almost certainly take this rivalry to another level.

Baseball season can’t come soon enough, as the Dodgers and Padres play each other in four series. It will be exciting to see if there will be any benches-clearing brawls.