There is something about Vinnie Pasquantino that brings out the best in Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, the pitcher.
When Ohtani started against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium in June, he threw the fastest pitch of his career: a 101.7 mph fastball to Pasquantino. The only pitch Ohtani has thrown faster was in the World Baseball Classic. It was a 102 mph laser to … Pasquantino.
“Yeah, he keeps doing that to me,” Pasquantino quipped after the game. “I just saw that the fastest pitches he’s ever thrown in his career, two of them, are against me, his two hardest throws. I need to talk to him.”
Pasquantino will get his chance Thursday.
Major League Baseball announced Pasquantino will be a Player Correspondent during the World Series.
“Pasquantino will be the correspondent for Media Day and Game 1 in Toronto, where he’ll produce content on MLB social channels, provide behind-the-scenes access to the Fall Classic and be a part of social media takeovers,” MLB wrote on its website. “Known for showcasing his humor, Pasquantino’s personality will be on full display as he interviews friends, players and celebrities, appears on MLB Network, and shares his insights on the matchup between the Dodgers and Blue Jays.”
Pasquantino wrote on social media that he will be taking questions for the Blue Jays and Dodgers players from fans for Media Day, which is Thursday.
However, Pasquantino plans to seek out Ohtani.
“I’m doing media day today so if anyone has any questions for players let me know,” Pasquantino wrote on X. “I’m gonna limit myself to one personal question and it will be to ask Shohei why he throws so hard specifically against me.”
It will be fun to see these Pasquantino videos on MLB’s social media channels and let’s hope he gets that question to Ohtani.