Shohei Ohtani wins the first World Series of his career

NEW YORK – As he went through his free agency process this winter, Shohei Ohtani laid out his preferences. He wanted to join a team he felt comfortable with, an organization he could call home for the rest of his career.

What was most important to Ohtani, however, was joining a team that could help him get where he hadn't been before. Ohtani had never appeared in a postseason game. He wanted to change that immediately.

In his first season with the Dodgers, Ohtani did that. And after the Dodgers' 7-6 victory over the Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series, Ohtani can add another accomplishment to his already impressive resume: World Series champion.

“I’m honored to be part of what has been our longest season and to get to know this team,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “My first year and winning a World Series was a great honor.”

It was not the performance he was hoping for in the World Series, as he went just 2 of 19 and suffered a left shoulder subluxation in Game 2. Despite this, he became only the 14th player to win both a World Series and a Japan Series title.

“I believe we were able to get through the regular season because of the strength of this team and this organization,” Ohtani said. “And the postseason success is very similar to what we did in the regular season. Here too, the strength of the organization. It’s a great honor to be a part of it.”

Even with his modest performance in the World Series, the Dodgers would not have been in this situation without Ohtani's contributions throughout the year. As the Dodgers struggled with numerous injuries throughout the season, Ohtani was always the consistent producer at the helm of the team.

“When you start supporting a teammate in their first year, like we did, to go out and have the best season ever, I think,” Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “This is something very special.”

“Six years in the States, arguably the best player in the major leagues. So he chose us and wanted to play for a championship,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s quite remarkable that it bears fruit in its first year. What Shohei has done to our ball club, to the Dodger fan base at home and abroad, I think simply cannot be quantified.”

As Ohtani celebrated in the Dodgers' clubhouse on Wednesday, he told president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman that he wanted to attend the champagne showers for the remaining nine seasons of his current contract.

Next season, Ohtani will no longer have to undergo a second Tommy John surgery and will be back on the mound, making the Dodgers even more dangerous. But regardless of what happens in the future, arguably the game's biggest star will receive his first World Series ring come March.

“That he lifts the World Series trophy,” Roberts said. “This is something I’m sure he’s been dreaming about for quite some time.”