Police Investigate After Bomb Threat Against Dodgers Player

Police Investigate After Bomb Threat Against Dodgers Player

(RepublicanPress.org) – In December 2023, Shohei Ohtani signed a 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 29-year-old, two-time American League West Division MVP hails from Japan and spent the previous six seasons playing for the Los Angeles Angels. Recent reports indicated that South Korean police officials launched an investigation after the right-handed pitcher and designated hitter received a bomb threat.

On March 30, the South Korean-based Yonhap News Agency reported that local police officers were trying to track down an individual who sent an email threatening to detonate a bomb to injure Ohtani and other players.

The article said the sender would set off the explosive device at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome later that day during the Dodger’s season opener against the San Diego Padres, the first Major League Ball (MLB) game played in South Korea. Yonhap News also reported that the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) planned to send 120 law enforcement officers and 30 commandos to search the stadium.

American news agencies later reported that the SMPA didn’t find any explosives at the stadium. They also confirmed that law enforcement officials deployed roughly 150 officers using X-ray detectors, bomb-sniffing canines, and other gear to conduct their search.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told news outlets that he hadn’t received detailed information regarding the bomb threat. According to AP News, he said officials told him to “keep working” on thegame. Padres manager Mike Shildt called the situation “unfortunate,” adding that he had “complete confidence” in the MLB’s ability to handle the situation and local security measures. “We feel safe,” he said.

Fortunately for the Dodgers, they won the game five to two. Game officials named three MVPs for the game: Ohtani, outfielder Mookie Betts, and infielder Freddie Freeman. Trailing two-to-one in the eighth inning with the bases loaded, Enrique Hernández hit the team’s second sacrifice flight with the bases loaded, tying up the game.

Ohtani and Betts followed up by hitting back-to-back RBI singles, giving the Dodgers a much-needed four-point inning.

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