If there is an exemplary player in MLB, it’s Shohei Ohtani. The Dodgers star is recognized in the baseball world for his talent both as a hitter and a pitcher, but also for the class he’s demonstrated over these years.
It’s fair to say the Japanese baseball player is the best player in MLB on the planet, though this status doesn’t affect his attitude when he does his work-even when it comes to interacting with his rivals.
A Gentleman on the Field
Shohei Ohtani has demonstrated this time and again. He’s a true gentleman, and you only need to recall the gesture he makes to managers every time he steps up to bat. One thing is clear: They are rivals, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be respectful.
It’s a simple salute that shows respect toward the opposing team, as Ohtani has demonstrated by tipping his helmet to the manager of every team throughout the 2025 MLB season-except for one: the San Diego Padres skipper, Mike Shildt.
The Dodgers vs Padres rivalry has developed an evident tension that reached its peak during the final game of a series in June at Dodger Stadium.
In the ninth inning, Jack Little hit the Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. on the wrist, which caused the benches to empty-with even Dave Roberts and Mike Shildt in the middle of it.
Then, in the bottom of the ninth, Shohei Ohtani hit by pitch from the Padres’ closer, Robert Suarez, but the Japanese star signaled to the Dodgers’ dugout, asking his team not to come out onto the field again.
Now, Noel Sánchez from Dodgers Nation explained that this incident is, apparently, the reason why Ohtani stopped greeting Shildt during the 2025 campaign.
“Shohei Ohtani might forgive but he definitely doesn’t forget,” Sánchez’s Instagram caption read. “Padres manager Mike Shildt had some hardcore moments with the Dodgers this year that led to Ohtani not tipping his helmet to him anymore.”
After the summer matchup, Shildt spoke to the press and didn’t deny that the hit by pitch to Ohtani was intentional, so the Japanese star has his reasons. “Teams that I manage don’t get into altercations like this, because teams I manage don’t throw at people,” Shildt said. “But also, teams I manage don’t take anything. And after a while, I’m not going to take it. I’m not going to take it on behalf of Tati. I’m not going to take it on behalf of our team, intentional or unintentional.”
