GLENDALE, Arizona – Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani made an early start to preseason Wednesday, training independently in preparation for the new MLB campaign and the upcoming World Baseball Classic before his club’s camp opens next week.
Ohtani played catch and took part in other workouts at the Dodgers’ training facility in Glendale, Arizona, where the team will hold spring training.
The Dodgers are aiming to win Major League Baseball’s World Series for the third time in a row this season and Ohtani expressed his hope of achieving the “difficult” feat.
Speaking in an interview with NBC News through an interpreter, Ohtani said, “The task is going to be very difficult. However, I do hope that when I retire and I look back, I can say I was on that team that won three championships in a row.”
Ohtani made the television appearance to promote his new children’s book, “Decoy Saves Opening Day,” released Tuesday and featuring his dog, Decoy, also known as Dekopin in Japan. Proceeds from its sales will go to animal rescue activities.