Shohei Ohtani belted his first home run of the season Wednesday in Tokyo, but it came with some controversy as the announcers, and even Ohtani, weren't sure it should have been a home run after the umpires reviewed it.
Ohtani, who had 54 dingers last season, crushed a ball to right center in the fifth inning of the Dodgers-Cubs game in Japan. At first it looked like it hit off the top of the wall and would be a double, but then umpires quickly motioned that it was a home run. They then reviewed the play and a fan was seen getting a hand on the ball.
Here's how that played out:
Shohei Ohtani has his first home run in 2025! 💥 pic.twitter.com/F3X3WOsTKF
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 19, 2025
Here's how the review process went:
Do you agree with the home run call?#TokyoSeries pic.twitter.com/7oSjUdWodx
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 19, 2025
That did look like it might not have made it over the wall if it wasn't for the fan. But it was indeed ruled a home run and it looks like Ohtani is ready for another huge season.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Shohei Ohtani's First Home Run of MLB Season Came With Some Controversy .
