In a thrilling moment during the Los Angeles Dodgers’ recent 4-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox, veteran batboy Javier Herrera made a spectacular barehanded catch, potentially saving MVP candidate Shohei Ohtani from a dangerous foul ball. The incident, which occurred in the top of the third inning at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, has since gone viral, showcasing Herrera’s quick reflexes and heroics.
The play unfolded with Dodgers infielder Enrique Hernandez at the plate, leading off the inning. After taking a sinker for a called strike from White Sox starter Erick Fedde, Hernandez faced a 93.4-mph sinker. He sliced at the high-and-inside pitch with a half-swing, sending the ball careening toward the Dodgers’ dugout, where Ohtani was standing near the steps.
Herrera, who has been a Dodgers batboy for two decades, instinctively raised his hands and caught the ball with his bare right hand, just as Ohtani jumped out of the way. The catch was not only impressive but also crucial in preventing a potential injury to Ohtani, who is a key player for the Dodgers.
The video of Herrera’s catch quickly gained traction on social media, with many users praising his efforts. One user humorously suggested that Herrera deserved free Dodger Dogs for life, while another estimated the catch’s value at $700 million, referencing Ohtani’s contract.
Following the catch, Hernandez went on to single two pitches later, and Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes also singled in the next at-bat. Ohtani then walked, and outfielder Teoscar Hernandez brought in Enrique Hernandez with a sacrifice fly, giving the Dodgers a 2-0 lead. Ohtani and Barnes scored shortly after when first baseman Freddie Freeman hit an RBI double to right field.
Ohtani, who had already homered in his first at-bat of the game, finished the day 1-for-2 with two runs scored, two walks, and an RBI. His .322 batting average this season is the best among MLB qualified batters, and he leads the National League in home runs (25), runs scored (65), slugging percentage (.643), and total bases (200).
Enrique Hernandez went 1-for-4 with a run scored and two strikeouts in the win, while veteran infielder Miguel Rojas recorded a team-high two hits. Dodgers starter Gavin Stone delivered an outstanding performance, allowing just four hits over nine innings in a complete-game shutout, improving his record to 9-2 for the season. Stone also logged seven strikeouts and did not issue a walk.
The Dodgers, with a 51-31 record, are set to face the San Francisco Giants next. The team has a lot invested in Ohtani, who signed a 10-year, $700 million contract last offseason. Ohtani has been a significant contributor to the Dodgers’ success, hitting .322 with 25 home runs and 61 RBIs before the MLB All-Star break. His performance is a key reason why the Dodgers hold an 8.5-game lead in the NL West.
The value of Herrera’s quick hands was evident in Wednesday’s game. Ohtani’s solo home run, his 25th of the season, set the tone for the Dodgers’ victory. Herrera’s catch not only protected Ohtani but also highlighted the importance of every team member, including those behind the scenes.
In a seven-second clip circulating online, Ohtani can be seen approaching Herrera with a smile, seemingly thanking him for the catch. The Dodgers, already dealing with injuries to stars Mookie Betts and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, can ill afford to lose Ohtani, who is the NL MVP favorite with -140 odds at FanDuel, ahead of the Phillies’ Bryce Harper at +200.
Ohtani’s leadoff homer on Wednesday set a Dodgers record for consecutive games with at least one RBI, with 10. He is slashing .322/.402/.643 with a 1.055 OPS, leading the majors in batting average and ranking second in slugging percentage and OPS, trailing only Yankees star Aaron Judge in both categories.
Reflecting on his performance, Ohtani said through an interpreter, “There have been a lot of opportunities with runners on base. All I’m trying to do is have a quality at-bat, so I think it’s the result of that.”
If Ohtani does indeed secure his third MVP award this year, he may have Herrera to thank for keeping him safe during that crucial moment. Herrera’s catch is a testament to the importance of every role within a team, and his quick reflexes have earned him well-deserved recognition.
Source: UPI, Los Angeles Times, Associated Press
