Shohei Ohtani and the Mike Schildt situation

Since the Padres inaugural season in 1969, the Dodgers have mostly maintained the upper hand in clashes between the two teams. Since the 2020 season, San Diego’s goal has been to create a serious rivalry between themselves and the Dodgers. To put it simply, they got what they wished for, and they are paying for it.

Shohei Ohtani has now experienced two full seasons with the big brother in this “sibling” rivalry, and every time he steps up to the plate, he always shows his respect by tipping his helmet to the opposing manager— except one in particular.

During the Dodgers’ first home series against San Diego back in June, Ohtani was drilled in the back by a 100 mile per hour fastball from closer Robert Suarez. Although the two shared a laugh about it at the All-Star game, it was no laughing matter for Ohtani moving forward, and the respect he shows every other manager was lost for Padres manager Mike Schildt.

Stephen Nelson and Orel Hersheiser both appeared on the Mason and Ireland Show on ESPN LA AM 710 last week, where Nelson discussed the indicators which demonstrated Ohtani’s newfound resentment towards the Padres team.

“If you watch Shohei Ohtani at the start of every game, in his first plate appearance, he walks towards the plate and tips his helmet towards the opposing dugout,” Nelson stated. “There is only one team and one manager that he stopped doing that for, and that was Mike Schildt and the San Diego Padres… I think his understanding is that respect is a two-way street. Once you cross that line, he is aware of it.”

It takes a lot of nerve to make Ohtani not just a professional but a personal adversary. Now the Dodgers will see if new Padres manager Craig Stammen will harbor the same resentment that Schildt had for Ohtani next season as the rivalry trudges on.

Former center fielder Andruw Jones was one of the biggest failures the Dodgers have had in free agency this century, but, let’s not forget that he was a prolific defensive outfielder who possessed the ability to hit 50 home runs during his time with the Atlanta Braves.

Jones will be entering his ninth year on the Hall of Fame ballot, giving him just two more opportunities to be apart of baseball immortality. Jayson Stark of The Athletic makes the case for both Jones and former outfielder Carlos Beltrán to both be elected to the 2026 Hall of Fame class.

The 2025 Roberto Clemente award winner has been busy helping those in need leading up to Thanksgiving.

Mookie Betts and his family stopped by the Algin Sutton Recreation Center to distribute Thanksgiving basket to over 750 families in the South Los Angeles area. Betts remarked on his philanthropic efforts, stating that it “means the world” to be able to give back to the local community.