Shohei Ohtani is showing a different side of himself in his first year in Dodger Blue

LOS ANGELES — One of the best things about sports is that it combines excitement with the rigors of competition. The MLB postseason tends to concentrate the entire emotional experience at its most intense.

For the first time in his career, Shohei Ohtani can feel the atmosphere of the playoffs and the important moments associated with it. And following his unmistakable hit Game 1 of the NLDS against the San Diego Padres, Ohtani showed his emotions. He threw the bat in excitement and stared in awe before letting out a scream as he broke into a trot. The Los Angeles Dodgers star let the world know he had made the playoffs.

Ohtani's emotional investment was also on display in Wednesday's 8-0 series victory when the Japanese star, at one point widely shared on social media, appeared to be outraged by the referee's interference with fair ball.

“I completely forgot about it,” Ohtani told reporters through a translator when asked about that moment Thursday. The answer caused laughter.

The postseason — which extended for the Dodgers to Game 5 on Friday at Dodger Stadium — is not the first time this year that Ohtani has expressed emotion at important moments. In fact, he has been increasingly demonstrative throughout the season. Perhaps this shouldn't be surprising, considering his first year with the Dodgers provided him with more big moments than years before and in front of much larger crowds.

“Playing in the regular season and playing in the playoffs is a completely different thing,” Ohtani said through a translator. “And I think a lot of players end up playing (and) showing their emotions. So I feel a part of it.”

Ohtani hasn't always generated excitement on or around the diamond. During six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, even as he became the best player in the world, he remained restrained in his reactions and kept his emotions in check.

The beginning of this change in Ohtani's life came during last year's World Baseball Classic. In a postseason-like atmosphere, Ohtani – pitching as Team Japan's closest pitcher against Team USA – showed a side of himself that few baseball fans have seen before. When he hit his then-teammate Mike Trout to seal his team's victory, we saw the utmost joy and passion from the player as he threw down the gauntlet before embracing his compatriots. At this point, Ohtani showed that he was not a baseball cyborg.

This year, the two-time MVP put on a show in his first season in Dodger blue, hitting .310/.390/.646 with a league-leading 54 hits and a career-high 197 hits, becoming the first member of the 50-50 club. Throughout this historic season, there were bat flips, celebrations, and even the occasional “Let's get the hell out!” — yes, in English — pumping up his teammates.

This isn't the same Ohtani we've seen over the last six seasons. This is a new, more comfortable and more reliable version.

“I'm not surprised by it,” Ohtani said. “I think it's also part of who I am. Of course, you should respect your opponent and remember him. I think it's an important part of the game.”

For the first time in his career, he plays in a winning football club. After six seasons in which there was no chance of making the playoffs, his greatness represents not only individual success, but also team success as Los Angeles tries to win the World Series. One more win will give the Dodgers a spot in the NLCS, where the Mets await.

“I think he realizes he's the best player in the world,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I think he has changed over the course of this season, I think who he really is. … I think winning helps.

“He is very isolated, very quiet and remains introverted. But I think he's a naturally goofy person. He likes fun. He's a crazy good competitor.”

Whether it was going 6-for-6 with three homers and 10 RBI in the same game in which he went 50/50, a grand slam en route to the 40/40 club, or a homer in his postseason debut, Ohtani showed in many situations in which he lives in the moment. He's one of the few players who seems to be able to rise to the occasion every time.

“I'm really focused on winning the game and doing everything I can to help the team win the game,” Ohtani said of his ability to have big moments. “It's something I really focus on instead of overcomplicating things and thinking outside of it.”

Watching the best player in the world excel in the biggest moments is great for the sport itself. For Ohtani, showing who he is and letting fans feed off his energy is helping the sport's biggest superstar continue to rise as one of the most popular athletes in the world.

“When he sees people having fun, having a good time for a moment, I think we've seen more of that throughout the season. I think it's good for him because it's honest,” Roberts said.

“This guy is not just a robot. He's a real person who has emotions. So I think it's good for everyone.”