"When the Dodgers are on the field, Shohei Ohtani dominates the headlines with his base running, his slugging and his pitching. But off the field, his actions also resonate. In a recent interview with Japanese media, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told a story of when the two-time World Series champion helped relief pitcher Gus Varland 's mother get cancer treatment by making a "very, very big contribution.""
""Shohei does a lot of great things, but a lot of what he does is on the down low, quiet, so people don't talk about it," he said. Varland made seven relief appearances with the Dodgers during the 2024 season - including pitching in the season-opening series in South Korea against the San Diego Padres - and posted a 4.50 earned run average in six innings of work before he was designated for assignment in July of that year."
Shohei Ohtani combines elite two-way baseball with quiet philanthropic acts, including a significant contribution to fund cancer treatment for relief pitcher Gus Varland's mother. Varland appeared seven times for the Dodgers in 2024, pitching six innings with a 4.50 ERA before being designated for assignment in July. Manager Dave Roberts learned Varland's mother was cancer free after encountering her during the World Series, crediting Ohtani's assistance. Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract after six seasons with the Angels, won a fourth MVP, and powered the Dodgers' 2025 title with 55 home runs, a .282 average and a 2.87 ERA.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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