Shohei Ohtani had a much more stressful lead-up to his Dodgers’ opener on Wednesday than anyone could have imagined – he was reportedly the target of a bomb threat before the game … although, thankfully, it all turned out to be false.
According to Yonhap News AgencyJust before Los Angeles’ season-opening matchup against the San Diego Padres in Seoul, someone sent a threatening email to local authorities.
The media outlet reported that in the note, the person claimed they were going to detonate a bomb at the Gocheok Sky Dome… specifically aiming to harm Ohtani and others.
Fortunately, however, it was considered a non-credible threat.
MLB said in a statement that it was investigating the matter — calling “the safety of our fans and everyone in the stadiums where we play” its top priority — but went ahead with the game anyway.
So far, there have been no problems with the contest – in the top of the ninth inning, the Dodgers led 5-2.
Ohtani, for his part, is clearly not feeling any effects from the scare…he’s 2-for-5 on the night with an RBI and a stolen base.
New team.
The same incredible swing.Shohei Ohtani gets his first RBI as a Dodger! pic.twitter.com/QxUtq172Iy
-MLB (@MLB) March 20, 2024
@MLB
The Dodgers arrived in Korea last week and played a few exhibition games before facing the Pads in the season opener.
The two teams will play one more game on Thursday night – before returning to the United States for a few more spring training games before the official start of the MLB season next week.
