'LIKE A BOSS'
MLB batboy ‘saves Shohei Ohtani’s life’ as his lightning-quick reactions are spotted on wild footage from Dodgers game
Everyone in the dugout looked stunned after the viral catch
A LOS Angeles Dodgers batboy has gone viral after pulling off a frankly incredible catch.
The clip was captured during the Dodgers' 4-0 win against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.
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During the game, a foul ball rifled its way toward the Dodgers' dugout at Guaranteed Rate Field.
It flew directly toward three-time All-Star pitcher Shohei Ohtani's face, at which point the batboy standing next to him sprung into action.
With the ball just inches from Ohtani, No. 94 managed to get both hands behind the ball, stopping it in its tracks, as Ohtani leaped backward.
The batboy cooly handed the ball to a fan before returning to chewing his gum and watching the game.
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All the while, stunned expressions could be seen from those surrounding the star of the show.
"Give that kid a raise. He just saved Shohei Ohtani's life," tweeted Fox MLB analyst Ben Verlander.
Fans on X were also full of praise for the batboy, with one commenting, "He just caught a rocket bare-handed."
"Well if the Dodgers win it all, that kid deserves a ring," proposed a second.
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As another added, "He played that off like a boss. He knew exactly what he just did."
Ohtani gave the Dodgers an early lead with a 437-foot homer at the top of the first inning.
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This lead was later extended with runs from Ohtani, Enrique Hernandez, and Austin Barnes at the top of the third.
This completed LA's sweep of Chicago and marked their fourth consecutive win ahead of Friday's series opener at the San Francisco Giants.
After the win, Ohtani lauded the shutout performance of pitcher Gavin Stone, which he labeled, "Spectacular."
"By the time you realize an inning, it's over. And he repeated that whole night long."
As for Ohtani, he is currently second in the MLB in runs (65), third in homers (25), and top in batting average (.322).
But while he may be one of the league's elite hitters this season, whether or not he'll suit up for the Home Run Derby remains to be seen.
"It's something I have to talk to a lot of people about and make a decision," Ohtani explained.
Meanwhile, manager Dave Roberts remained divided on the potential of Ohtani appearing at the Derby.
"The one side of it, for him to be in the Home Run Derby, it's great for baseball, clearly," he admitted, via ESPN.
"The other side of it, on the manager of the Dodgers side of it, you're trying to be more cautious and appreciating the fact that there's a lot more swings, higher intensity, you know, going through the rehab process with his elbow."
Ohtani is currently continuing his lengthy recovery from elbow surgery he underwent in September 2023.
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"I don't ever want to be the guy that says you can't do it, because I wouldn't want to have somebody tell me I couldn't do it," Roberts added.
"But the surgery adds a different component."
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