A security scare caused by a bomb threat targeting Los Angeles Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani marked the beginning of the 2024 MLB season in Seoul, South Korea, showcasing the global impact of the baseball sensation.
On the opening day of the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) season, a bomb threat directed at Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani caused a security scare at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea. The threat emerged from an email sent to South Korea’s consulate general in Vancouver by an individual claiming to be a Japanese lawyer, known for sending similar threats in the past. South Korean police, utilizing about 150 officers along with sniffer dogs and X-ray detectors, conducted a comprehensive search of the stadium but found no explosives or suspicious objects.
The incident led to heightened security measures, including the deployment of approximately 350 officers for the game between the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres, marking the first MLB regular season game in South Korea. Despite the scare, both team managers expressed confidence in the security arrangements, and the game proceeded as planned, emphasizing the focus on Shohei Ohtani’s debut with the Dodgers.
Shohei Ohtani’s transfer from the Los Angeles Angels to the Dodgers has significantly impacted his fanbase, especially in Tokyo, Japan, where Dodgers merchandise has seen a surge in sales. Ohtani’s popularity, evident in the rapid sales of Dodgers gear ranging from $150 caps to $510 jerseys, highlights his status as a sports icon in Japan, affecting both the sports retail market and the attention surrounding MLB games.
The bomb threat in Seoul and the wave of support in Tokyo underscore the global impact of Shohei Ohtani, both on and off the field, as MLB’s 2024 season begins.
