Shohei Ohtani throws some shade at Padres fans

Feb 27, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) takes the field prior to the game against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Shohei Ohtani may have some villain in him after all.

The Los Angeles Dodgers star Ohtani got a little shady with the San Diego Padres and their fans during his team’s weekend series in San Diego. When asked before Sunday’s game about his impression of the sellout crowds at Petco Park through the first two contests of the series, Ohtani gave an interesting response.

“Overall, just very passionate fans here in San Diego,” said Ohtani, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. “But I also do see that there are a lot of Dodgers fans. So it’s hard to determine who’s home and who’s away.”

Ohtani’s response may have been influenced by the fact that Dodgers fans converged on downtown San Diego en masse before Saturday’s game and made their presence known throughout the series.

Dodgers fans marched through San Diego before tonight’s game

(via @Pantone294) pic.twitter.com/deYu0t3lDw

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 12, 2024

Still, the Padres got the last laugh, winning the rubber match on Sunday by a 4-0 final to claim the weekend series (though Ohtani did not play on Sunday due to back tightness). They are now up 5-3 in the season series against the Dodgers too. But it is nice to see Ohtani immersing himself in a Dodgers-Padres rivalry that has picked up even more intensity this season.