Shohei Ohtani treated his Dodgers teammates to an unforgettable sushi experience in Tokyo ahead of MLB’s season opener.
The Dodgers superstar hosted his teammates for an extravagant sushi dinner as the team prepares for their two-game series against the Chicago Cubs to kick off the 2025 MLB regular season in Japan. Ohtani, 30, gave fans a glimpse of the team-building meal through his Instagram.
Ohtani’s social media carousel featured the three-time AL MVP posing with teammates and the chef alongside an enormous tuna that served as the centerpiece of their meal. He also shared footage of the skilled chefs breaking down the massive fish with precision.
The highlight? Freddie Freeman trying sushi for the first time. The 35-year-old first baseman looked apprehensive before sampling sea urchin, with Ohtani encouraging him: “Open mind, open mind.” Freeman’s expression quickly shifted from concern to delight. “That’s not bad! Wonderful,” he exclaimed after the taste test.
It’s hard to imagine a better first sushi experience than having some of the world’s freshest fish in Tokyo with one of Japan’s biggest sports icons as your host. Freeman might be spoiled for life.
The team bonding seems to be paying dividends already. The Dodgers just claimed a 4-1 victory over the Cubs in their season opener at the Tokyo Dome, with Ohtani leading the offense.
Ohtani wasted no time making an impact in his Dodgers regular season debut, collecting a single and a double while scoring twice. His ninth-inning double down the right-field line helped LA extend their narrow 2-1 lead, as he later came around to score his second run of the game in what became the final 4-1 margin.
The Dodgers and Cubs will wrap up their Tokyo series on Wednesday, March 19, at 6 AM ET before heading back stateside.
