The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to assert their position as the number one contender for the World Series championship.

They possess a star-studded roster.

They have incredible depth.

They have top-level experience.

But according to Freddie Freeman, there is a special reason behind the team’s recent resurgence.

And that name is Shohei Ohtani.

In his latest statement, which has captured the attention of the MLB community, Freeman unhesitatingly asserted that the Dodgers’ recent successes are directly linked to the influence of the Japanese superstar. Beyond the incredible statistics on the court, Ohtani is also changing the winning culture within the team’s locker room.

What’s even more remarkable is that Freeman – an MVP, World Series champion, and one of MLB’s most experienced players – admitted that he’s still learning from his younger teammate.

That’s the kind of praise not everyone gets.

Especially when it comes from a player considered a professional role model for the entire league.

“It’s incredible to see how he prepares for each game,” Freeman shared. “I’ve been playing baseball for a long time, but there’s still so much to learn from Shohei. The way he trains, the way he takes care of his body, the way he approaches each game is on a different level.”

Those words immediately captured the attention of fans.

Because in the eyes of most of the baseball world, Freeman is the one that young players should learn from.

He boasts a career spanning over a decade.

Over 2,000 hits.

Multiple All-Star appearances.

MVP title.

World Series championship.

And yet, he now openly admits that he continues to improve himself thanks to Ohtani.

This is the clearest evidence of the Japanese superstar’s influence.

Since joining the Dodgers, Ohtani has not only brought tremendous power to the offense but also set a new standard for professionalism.

Every day, he arrives at the court early.

Every day, he completes a massive training load.

Every day, he works with an intensity that amazes many of his teammates.

And that is spreading throughout the team.

In the current season, Ohtani continues to demonstrate the form of an MVP candidate. His home runs, extra-base hits, and ability to create game-changing plays have helped the Dodgers maintain their position in the top group of the National League.

But Freeman believes Ohtani’s greatest impact lies beyond the statistics.

“He makes us all want to be better,” Freeman said. “When you see someone working that hard every day, you have no choice but to raise your own standards.”

That’s what legends are all about.

They don’t just create achievements.

They create influence.

The greatest players in history have always possessed the ability to inspire those around them to grow alongside them.

Michael Jordan did that in the NBA.

Tom Brady did that in the NFL.

And now, many believe Ohtani is doing the same with the Dodgers.

What’s special is that Ohtani isn’t the type of player who likes to make loud statements.

He rarely becomes the center of controversy.

He doesn’t often make attention-grabbing statements.

Instead, he let his performance and work ethic speak for themselves.

Perhaps it was this humility that earned him even greater respect from his teammates.

In recent years, the Dodgers have boasted many superstars.

From Mookie Betts to Freddie Freeman.

From Clayton Kershaw to Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

But even within that talented squad, Ohtani stands out.

Not just because he’s a rare two-way player in modern history.

Not just because of the constant breaking of records.

But because he’s becoming the role model the entire team aspires to.

Freeman understands this better than anyone.

He’s seen teams win championships.

He knows what makes a winning team.

And when an experienced player like Freeman publicly admits he’s still learning from Ohtani, it’s the strongest affirmation of the value the Japanese superstar brings.

For Dodgers fans, these statements further reinforce their belief that they are witnessing one of the most exceptional players in baseball history.

A player who can change a game with a bat.

Who can change a team with his attitude.

And who can change even seasoned stars with his example.

The Dodgers are winning.

Ohtani is shining.

And according to Freddie Freeman, that’s no coincidence.

Because sometimes, the success of an entire team begins with one person exceptional enough to inspire everyone else.

That person, in Los Angeles right now, is Shohei Ohtani.