Shohei Ohtani gifted his Dodgers teammates luxury watches ahead of Opening Day.
Every locker in the Dodgers’ clubhouse contained a gold-trimmed jersey, a gold-brimmed cap and a giftbag. The apparel was the Dodgers’ special uniform for Opening Day, commemorating their back-to-back championships. The bags were a gift from Shohei Ohtani to his teammates. Each contained a watch from Seiko, a high-end Japanese brand, and a note that read, “Let’s three-peat.”
Rojas Praises Ohtani’s Generosity
Second baseman Miguel Rojas commented on Ohtani’s gesture. “That talks a lot about what kind of human he is, not just on the field but off the field,” Rojas said. “He cares about the community in L.A. I know that watch, we’re going to keep it forever, and we’re going to remember the best player in the world gave us a watch for Opening Day in 2026.”
Dodgers Aim for Historic Three-peat
Opening Day held added significance this year, with the prospect of what L.A. can accomplish this season. Last year, the Dodgers became the first team in a quarter century to successfully defend their World Series title. This year, they have the opportunity to become only the third Major League franchise — and the first in National League history — to win three straight championships.
As they did in last year’s repeat bid, the Dodgers are opening the new season with the mindset of being fully focused on the games ahead of them, rather than their previous championship run. There will be some final celebrations this weekend — they’ll raise their championship banner on Thursday night and present the team with their World Series rings on Friday night — but once that’s over, they can officially turn the page on the season that was.
Opening Day Festivities
Over the next couple of days, the Dodgers will soak in all the pomp and circumstance that comes with being the reigning champions. They’ll enjoy playing in front of their home fans for the first time since the World Series and don their golden uniforms with pride.
“I like gold,” manager Dave Roberts said with a smile.
The Dodgers are opening the new season in a way that recalls last year’s World Series Game 7. World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who recorded the final outs on zero days’ rest, is the starting pitcher. Rojas, who hit the game-tying home run that helped send the finale to extra innings, started at second base against D-backs righty Zac Gallen even though he is primarily slated to start against lefties this season.
“I don’t want to have any expectations about how the people are going to react or how the stadium is going to be or how the people are going to support me throughout the year,” said Rojas, who will retire after this season and remain with the Dodgers in player development. “I just want to enjoy every single moment.”
Even retired legend Clayton Kershaw was in attendance at Dodger Stadium for Opening Day, dressed in a suit and tie rather than a Dodgers uniform in his new role as an analyst for NBC.