Shohei Ohtani issues rare public statement amid LA fires
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has made a rare public comment outside of baseball to speak on the ongoing southern California wildfires that have killed 25 people thus far.
Ohtani has played his entire American professional career in the Los Angeles area, starting with the Angels in 2018, before making his way to the crosstown-rival Dodgers before the start of last season.
In his first season with the Dodgers, Ohtani completed the first 50-home run, 50-stolen base season in MLB history.
The Dodgers won the World Series over the New York Yankees and look like title favorites again in 2025.
Many in Los Angeles however are not focused on baseball at the moment with the wildfires, Ohtani included.
'We are extremely grateful to the firefighters who continue to fight for us during the LA fires. We will donate $500,000 to these firefighters, those who have been forced to evacuate, and animals in need of support,' Ohtani said on Instagram.
Shohei Ohtani has made a rare public comment outside of baseball to speak on the wildfires
The ongoing southern California wildfires have killed 25 people thus far and are not contained
'The Los Angeles Dodgers are also working with other sports teams to sell T-shirts and carry out other support activities. We hope you will consider this. We sincerely hope for a speedy recovery. - LA Strong.'
Due to the wildfires, the Kings, Lakers, and Clippers have all had games postponed.
The Los Angeles Rams' playoff game against the Vikings, which was originally slated to be played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, was moved to Arizona.
Should the Rams and Commanders both win on the road this weekend in the Divisional round, there is no word on whether the Los Angeles area could host the NFC Championship.
The wildfires have yet to effect the Dodgers or Angels schedules, with home games in California not slated until the end of March.
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