TORSBY, Sweden (AP) — David Beckham and former England coach Roy Hodgson were among the soccer dignitaries who attended the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson on Friday in the Swedish manager's small hometown of Torsby.
Eriksson's wooden coffin was covered in white flowers and surrounded by six tall candles and other floral wreaths as the ceremony began inside the 600-seat Fryksande church.
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TORSBY, Sweden (AP) — David Beckham and former England coach Roy Hodgson were among the soccer dignitaries who attended the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson on Friday in the Swedish manager's small hometown of Torsby.
Sven-Goran Eriksson's partner Yaniseth Alcides, left, and his father Sven Eriksson, right, touch his coffin during the funeral service at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, Friday Sept. 13, 2024. (Adam Ihse/TT News Agency via AP)
The coffin of Swedish soccer manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is carried out of the Fryksände church after the funeral service in Torsby, Sweden, Friday Sept. 13, 2024. (Adam Ihse/TT News Agency via AP)
David Beckham leaves the church after the funeral service of Swedish soccer manager Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, Friday Sept. 13, 2024. (Adam Ihse/TT News Agency via AP)
People attend the funeral service of Swedish soccer manager Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, Friday Sept. 13, 2024. (Adam Ihse/TT News Agency via AP)
A general view of a screen outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, ahead of the funeral for football legend Sven-Goran Eriksson, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (Jonas EkströmerTT News Agency via AP)
Yaniseth Alcides, right, the partner of Swedish soccer manager Sven-Goran Eriksson arrives at his funeral service at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, Friday Sept. 13, 2024. (Jonas Ekströmer/TT News Agency via AP)
A coffin of football legend Sven-Goran Eriksson is carried into Fryksande church in Torsby, Sweden, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (Jonas Ekströmer/TT News Agency via AP)
A coffin of football legend Sven-Goran Eriksson is carried into Fryksande church in Torsby, Sweden, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (Jonas Ekströmer/TT News Agency via AP)
A woman signs a condolence book for the late Swedish soccer coach Sven-Goran Eriksson at the pastor's office in Torsby, Sweden, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (Jonas Ekströmer/TT News Agency via AP)
David Beckham and Nancy Dell'Olio hug as they arrive to attend the funeral service of Swedish soccer manager Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, Friday Sept. 13, 2024. (Adam Ihse/TT News Agency via AP)
David Beckham arrives to attend the funeral service of Swedish soccer manager Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, Friday Sept. 13, 2024. (Adam Ihse/TT News Agency via AP)
People attend the funeral service of Swedish soccer manager Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, Friday Sept. 13, 2024. (Adam Ihse/TT News Agency via AP)
David Beckham and Nancy Dell'Olio hug as they arrive to attend the funeral service of Swedish soccer manager Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, Friday Sept. 13, 2024. (Adam Ihse/TT News Agency via AP)
“It is a day of grief but also a day of thankfulness,” the priest, Ingela Älvskog, told those in attendance.
Beckham, who arrived by private jet on Thursday, greeted Eriksson's 95-year-old father Sven and other family members with hugs inside the church before the funeral started.
Eriksson became England's first foreign-born coach when he led the national team from 2001-06, and made Beckham his captain.
Eriksson, who also won trophies at club level in Italy, Portugal and Sweden, died on Aug. 26 at the age of 76, eight months after he revealed he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had at most one year to live.
Some 200 seats in the neo-Gothic church from 1898 were reserved for his family, friends and players from his career in the football world, according to his agent. The remaining seats were open for the public, according to Eriksson's wish, with a big screen set up outside the church where hundreds more gathered to watch the ceremony. The funeral was also broadcast live on some Swedish media websites.
The wooden coffin was wheeled in by pallbearers at the church Friday morning as fog wrapped Torsby — a town of about 4,000 people located about 310 kilometers (193 miles) west of Stockholm. Next to the casket was a photo of Eriksson on a small table. The floral wreaths included ones sent by FIFA and Lazio, the Italian team that Eriksson led to the Serie A title in 2000.
The ceremony began with somber piano and organ music, but later took on a more upbeat note with Swedish singer Charlotta Birgersson performing Elton John’s song “Candle In The Wind" and then “My Way” in a duet with Johan Birgersson, who later intoned the popular Italian song “Volare” after the family had gathered around the casket to lay flowers.
Beckham also visited Eriksson in Sweden in June to say goodbye. Others attending the funeral included the Swedish coach's longtime partner Nancy Dell’Olio. Eriksson's agent had said that guests from England, Italy and Spain were expected.
After the funeral, the casket was carried out of the church by eight men to the hearse. The guests then walked in a procession accompanying the coffin to a nearby museum where speeches and eulogies to the coach fondly known as “Svennis” were planned on an outdoor stage. A brass band played during the procession through Torsby, including the tune “You never walk alone” from the musical “Carousel” which has become the anthem of Liverpool, the club Eriksson supported since childhood.
Hodgson, who managed both England and Liverpool after a coaching career that started in Sweden in the 1970s and '80s — when he came up against Eriksson in the Swedish league — said the funeral was “such a dignified tribute to Sven-Goran.”
“It really reminded us all of the way he lived his life,” Hodgson said. “It was so typical of the way he lived his life, with dignity, with courage, and with the ability to make the childhood dreams come true.”
Eriksson’s adult daughter Lina said in her eulogy that her dad “didn’t want a sad funeral. He wanted to gather people to celebrate his life. Filled with happiness and joy.”
The local soccer club Torsby IF, where Eriksson started his career in the 1960s, wrote on its webpage that “you also showed your greatness by always being yourself, the caring Svennis who talked to everyone and took the time, for big and small, asking how things were and how the football was going. We will miss you.”
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
The funeral service of Swedish soccer manager Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, Friday Sept. 13, 2024. (Adam Ihse/TT News Agency via AP)
Sven-Goran Eriksson's partner Yaniseth Alcides, left, and his father Sven Eriksson, right, touch his coffin during the funeral service at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, Friday Sept. 13, 2024. (Adam Ihse/TT News Agency via AP)
The coffin of Swedish soccer manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is carried out of the Fryksände church after the funeral service in Torsby, Sweden, Friday Sept. 13, 2024. (Adam Ihse/TT News Agency via AP)
David Beckham leaves the church after the funeral service of Swedish soccer manager Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, Friday Sept. 13, 2024. (Adam Ihse/TT News Agency via AP)
People attend the funeral service of Swedish soccer manager Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, Friday Sept. 13, 2024. (Adam Ihse/TT News Agency via AP)
A general view of a screen outside Fryksande Church in Torsby, Sweden, ahead of the funeral for football legend Sven-Goran Eriksson, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (Jonas EkströmerTT News Agency via AP)
Yaniseth Alcides, right, the partner of Swedish soccer manager Sven-Goran Eriksson arrives at his funeral service at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, Friday Sept. 13, 2024. (Jonas Ekströmer/TT News Agency via AP)
A coffin of football legend Sven-Goran Eriksson is carried into Fryksande church in Torsby, Sweden, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (Jonas Ekströmer/TT News Agency via AP)
A coffin of football legend Sven-Goran Eriksson is carried into Fryksande church in Torsby, Sweden, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (Jonas Ekströmer/TT News Agency via AP)
A woman signs a condolence book for the late Swedish soccer coach Sven-Goran Eriksson at the pastor's office in Torsby, Sweden, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (Jonas Ekströmer/TT News Agency via AP)
David Beckham and Nancy Dell'Olio hug as they arrive to attend the funeral service of Swedish soccer manager Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, Friday Sept. 13, 2024. (Adam Ihse/TT News Agency via AP)
David Beckham arrives to attend the funeral service of Swedish soccer manager Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, Friday Sept. 13, 2024. (Adam Ihse/TT News Agency via AP)
People attend the funeral service of Swedish soccer manager Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, Friday Sept. 13, 2024. (Adam Ihse/TT News Agency via AP)
David Beckham and Nancy Dell'Olio hug as they arrive to attend the funeral service of Swedish soccer manager Sven-Goran Eriksson at Fryksände church in Torsby, Sweden, Friday Sept. 13, 2024. (Adam Ihse/TT News Agency via AP)
Shohei Ohtani is getting closer to making himself the sole member of an exclusive club.
He's already the sixth player in major league history and the fastest ever to reach 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases, needing just 126 games.
He’s the only player to hit the 40-40 mark in the same game. He did it in style, too, on a game-winning grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning on Aug. 23.
“He’s very goal-oriented,” Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He likes to take down records.”
On the horizon for Ohtani is potentially becoming the first member of the 50-50 club.
He blasted his 48th homer on Tuesday and has 48 stolen bases with less than two weeks remaining in the regular season.
Ohtani signed a $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers last December. The two-way Japanese superstar hasn’t pitched this season — his first with the Dodgers after six years with the Los Angeles Angels — as he rehabilitates after surgery for an injured elbow ligament that he had a year ago. That has allowed Ohtani to focus on his hitting.
Los Angeles leads the National League West and will be headed to the postseason in October, which will be another first for Ohtani. He didn’t reach the postseason with the Angels, and they never had a winning record during his tenure in Anaheim.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) steals second base ahead of a throw to Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson, left, during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) runs the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani runs from first as he steals second during the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, second from left, hits a solo home run as Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee, left, watches along with catcher Bo Naylor, right, and home plate umpire Dan Bellino during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in Los Angeles, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, steals second base in front of Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, front left, in the seventh inning during a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, right, of Japan, connects for a home run as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Adrian Del Castillo, left, looks on during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, of Japan, claps has he rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, is hit by a ball thrown from home plate as he steals third while Baltimore Orioles third baseman Ramon Urias misses the ball and third base umpire Jansen Visconti watches during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, center, hits a solo home run as Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Corbin Burnes, left, and catcher James McCann, right, watch during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with Teoscar Hernández (37) after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Los Angeles, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. Miguel Rojas also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with teammates after hitting a grand slam during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Los Angeles, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. The Dodgers won 7-3. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after stealing second base during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Los Angeles, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) steals second base during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, gestures after stealing second during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, steals second base past Milwaukee Brewers' Brice Turang during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, right, watches his home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani follows through on a home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) runs to first after hitting a home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the second inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John McCoy)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, steals third base during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Oakland Athletics second baseman Darell Hernaiz (2) is unable to catch the throw from catcher Shea Langeliers as Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani steals second during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Oakland Athletics second baseman Darell Hernaiz, left, catches a throw from catcher Shea Langeliers as Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) steals second during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani tosses his bat after hitting a three-run home run against the Oakland Athletics during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) steals second base ahead of the throw to San Diego Padres second baseman Xander Bogaerts (2) during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, left, misses a tag as Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) steals second during the ninth inning of a baseball game Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani watches his solo home run leave the park during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, right, hits a home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in Los Angeles, Thursday, July 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
San Francisco Giants second baseman Brett Wisely, second from right, tags out Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, on a steal-attempt during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, July 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani tosses his bat after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Sunday, July 21, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani safely beats the throw to Detroit Tigers second baseman Colt Keith to steal second during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani heads to the dugout after a solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, steals second past Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, July 10, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, left, heads to first for a solo home run as Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Bryan Hudson, second from left, and catcher William Contreras, right, watch along with home plate umpire Edwin Moscoso during the eighth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani steals third during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, July 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani tosses his bat after hitting a go-ahead two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani watches his solo home run against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, June 29, 2024, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani watches his home run against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of a baseball game aWednesday, June 26, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani hits a home run off Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Flexen during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, heads to first for a two-run home run as Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Zach Plesac watches during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, June 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) runs the bases after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Los Angeles, Friday, June 21, 2024. Austin Barnes also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Ty Blach in the first inning of baseball game Thursday, June 20, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani watches his solo home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Austin Gomber during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, slides safely into second base for a steal as Colorado Rockies second baseman Adael Amador, left, fields the throw in the eighth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, left, is congratulated by Teoscar Hernández after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Sunday, June 16, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, second from left, hits a solo home run as Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Brady Singer, left, and catcher Freddy Fermin, right, watch along with home plate umpire Ryan Additon during the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 16, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani celebrates his solo-home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, second from left, hits a two-run home run as Texas Rangers relief pitcher Grant Anderson, left, watches along with catcher Jonah Heim, right, and home plate umpire Nick Mahrley during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, steals second as Texas Rangers shortstop Ezequiel Duran, left, takes a late throw while second base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt watches during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani returns to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes during the third inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, June 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, of Japan, follows through on a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, May 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, steals second base past Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Kevin Newman during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani steals third base during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) steals second base ahead of a throw to Cincinnati Reds second baseman Santiago Espinal (4) during the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Thursday, May 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, is congratulated by Freddie Freeman after his solo home run against the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins in Los Angeles, Monday, May 6, 2024. Mookie Betts also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani celebrates with third base coach Dino Ebel (91) after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) steals second during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a solo home run next to Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, April 26, 2024, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani celebrates as he runs the bases for his solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Washington. The Dodgers won 4-1. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani celebrates after his two-run home run in the dugout during the third inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) steals second ahead of a throw to New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani steals second base against the San Diego Padres during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Friday, April 12, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is sprinkled with sunflower seeds after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani hits a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, April 5, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in Los Angeles, Wednesday, April 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani heads to first after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
