Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani is renowned in the sport of baseball mostly for his talent, but also for being a class act.
While Ohtani is arguably the best baseball player on the planet, the superstar doesn’t let that affect his attitude or behavior on the diamond.
Ohtani has proven time and time again that he is a class act, and one such way he’s demonstrated this is by tipping his helmet to opposing managers when he steps up to the plate.
The action is meant to serve as a greeting or salute to the opposing team, ultimately a sign of respect. Ohtani tipped his helmet to every team’s manager throughout the 2025 season except one — San Diego Padres skipper Mike Shildt.
The Dodgers and Padres clashed several times throughout the season, but the bad blood between the division rivals seemingly reached its peak during a series finale in June at Dodger Stadium.
In the ninth innning, Dodgers rookie Jack Little hit Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. on the wrist. The hit by pitch caused both benches to clear with Shildt and manager Dave Roberts getting into a physical altercation.
The game was delayed for 10 minutes and in the bottom of the ninth inning Ohtani was plunked by Padres closer Robert Suarez. Ohtani waved down the Dodgers dugout, urging his team not to take the field again.
Dodgers Nation’s Noel Sanchez explained that the incident is seemingly why Ohtani stopped saluting Shildt during the 2025 campaign.
“Shohei Ohtani might forgive but he definitely doesn’t forget ,” Sanchez’s Instagram caption read. “Padres manager Mike Shildt had some hardcore moments with the Dodgers this year that led to Ohtani not tipping his helmet to him anymore.”