Dodgers Rookie Josue De Paula Goes Viral for Starstruck Ohtani Moment
A hilarious interaction between the young player and Shohei Ohtani captured the attention of fans.
Los Angeles Dodgers rookie Josue De Paula has quickly endeared himself to fans, not only with his performance on the field but also with a memorable, starstruck moment involving teammate Shohei Ohtani.
De Paula, 21, had a standout performance in his Dodger Stadium debut on Friday night, going 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI in an 8-2 victory against the San Francisco Giants. He has posted a .924 OPS in 21 at-bats with the Dodgers.
The highlight that went viral occurred during the SportsNet LA broadcast of Friday's game. As De Paula walked down the dugout after scoring a run, he high-fived Ohtani. The rookie then appeared to react with wide-eyed awe, as if just realizing he had touched the hand of the two-way superstar.
While De Paula was present at Dodgers spring training, Ohtani was placed on the injured list with right biceps inflammation earlier in September. Ohtani had not been traveling with the team during its recent road trip. This interaction may have been the first time Ohtani was in the dugout during De Paula's current stint with the team, or simply the first time De Paula noticed Ohtani that evening, contributing to his seemingly starstruck reaction.
This relatable moment has further endeared De Paula to the Dodgers' fanbase, drawing parallels to how any fan might react when meeting or interacting with Ohtani.