Shohei Ohtani Signs Ball for 100-Year-Old Nagasaki Bombing Survivor

DENVER — Shohei Ohtani signed a baseball for a 100-year-old survivor of the Nagasaki bombing during pregame warmups on Saturday. Ohtani, described as a two-way star for the Dodgers, typically does not stop for autographs after his pregame workout. On this occasion, he made an exception for Momoyo Kelly, who was on the field in a wheelchair.

Meeting on the

Field Kelly posed for photos with players from both teams and spoke briefly with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, a native of Okinawa, Japan.

As Ohtani returned to the dugout, he stopped to sign a ball for her, and she stood up and smiled during the exchange. The interaction was brief, with Ohtani greeting her, signing the ball, and then heading to the clubhouse. Kelly later said the moment was “like a dream,” according to Chunichi Sports.

She added, “He’s the pride of Japan,” and stated that she watches the Dodgers’ games every day.

Background and

Context Kelly was 19 years old at the time of the Nagasaki bombing in 1945.

She later moved to the United States after meeting her husband on an American military base in Japan. She attended the game with her daughter and grandchild. Ohtani had just completed a pregame throwing session in preparation for his next pitching start, expected during the following week's series in San Francisco against the Giants.

265 with five home runs and 10 RBIs this season, along with a 49-game on-base streak dating back to last season. As a pitcher, he has allowed one earned run over his first three starts with 18 strikeouts.