Shohei Ohtani had a lot of praise for a bat boy after he almost got hit with a foul ball.
Ohtani's Los Angeles Dodgers were visiting the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night when a foul ball hit by Kiké Hernández was headed toward the MLB superstar as he walked inside the Dodgers dugout.
Batboy Javier Herrera came to the rescue… with his own hands!
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Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a home run during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 25, 2024, in Chicago. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
As everyone ducked, the bat boy reacted quickly, snatching the ball out of the air.
Realizing what he had done, in one movement he handed the ball to a fan sitting near him, behind the screen.
The moment went viral and Herrera met with the media.
Dozens of journalists surrounded him and Ohtani took a photo of the group of journalists.
Ohtani posted the photo to his Instagram story with the caption: “MY HERO.”
“I saw the pitch from start to finish. It hit the bat and the ball practically found me. I was able to catch it,” Herrera said. “I was just doing my job.”
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits an RBI single during the fourth inning of a game against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 25, 2024 in Chicago. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
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“Yeah, he needs a contract extension, a raise,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Obviously I was right next to him, but I didn't appreciate how close it was, you know, going to Shohei. And what a great play it was. So Javy reacted very quickly and very appreciative.”
There's a reason MLB stadiums always tell fans to keep their heads alert, because you never know where a foul ball will land.
For players, coaches and staff in the dugouts, this is especially true because foul balls can fly toward them at any time.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, right, speaks with interpreter Ippei Mizuhara during the ninth inning of an Opening Day baseball game against the San Diego Padres at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, Korea of the South, on March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
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Ohtani may have been wearing his helmet, but getting hit by a foul could have led to a serious injury.
Ohtani also played a major role in the Dodgers' 4-0 victory over the White Sox, hitting his 25th home run of the season in a 1-for-2 performance with two walks and two runs scored.
Fox News' Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
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