Los Angeles Dodgers stars Mookie Betts and Max Muncy addressed the tense exchange between Shohei Ohtani and Dalton Rushing last month during a meeting on July 2. Bates’ “On Base” podcast episode.
“Everyone kind of saw it. When they came down… I really saw how it was going to go, what it was likely to say,” Betts said after he and Muncy shared a laugh as they peeked into the clubhouse after Ohtani and Rushing went down there.
Ohtani was initially upset by the rush after passing the ball. The two had a conversation on the mound in which Ohtani appeared upset by the play, and both were at loggerheads over an apparent difference of opinion over pitches called during a June 25 game against the Minnesota Twins.
“I think it’s a good growth moment for both guys,” Muncy added. “Sho’s not always going to be able to throw to Will [Smith]and this is one of those ones where it was like, hey, sometimes Sho wants to throw a pitch that might not be the best pitch to throw. You learn how to deal with that whenever you go through these types of situations.
Ohtani usually turns to Dodgers catcher Will Smith. But with Smith sidelined with a neck injury, he had to turn to Rushing instead.
Bates then said: “What I really enjoyed was the way Rush took responsibility later on. He knows he has a lot on his plate.”
“You’re the first-team catcher in all of baseball in many categories,” Muncy answered with a laugh. “So, yeah, that’s a lot to take on. And he did a great job of handling it. And none of us knew how to handle that situation at that point.”
It’s interesting to hear Muncy talk about how he believes Ohtani basically needs to learn to trust Rushing when it comes to calling plays.
Regardless, every time Ohtani pitches for Rushing — including the Dodgers’ July 3 game against the San Diego Padres — it will be must-see television.
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