Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Hats off to Marlins manager for declining to walk Shohei Ohtani

By Victor Haltom | Last updated 9/21/24

When Shohei Ohtani stepped up to the plate in the top of the seventh inning on Sept. 19 in Miami, he was just one home run shy of becoming the first baseball player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.

One Dodgers player was on, but first base was open. A Marlins assistant coach asked Miami manager Skip Schumaker whether he wanted relief pitcher Mike Baumann to intentionally walk Ohtani. The Marlins skipper promptly and decisively responded, "F--- That! I've got too much respect for this guy for that s--- to happen," per Yahoo Sports.

Kudos to Schumaker for his sportsmanship and respect for the game.

Shortly after the Marlins manager decided to pitch to Ohtani, the slugger hit an opposite-field blast and entered uncharted territory.

SHOHEI OHTANI HAS DONE IT

50 HOME RUNS | 50 STOLEN BASES

HISTORY pic.twitter.com/GRVJUCbpja
— MLB (@MLB) September 19, 2024

After the game, reporters asked Schumaker about his decision to pitch to Ohtani rather than give him an intentional pass. The manager said walking Ohtani at that historical moment, when the Marlins were trailing 12-3, would have been "a bad move, baseball-wise, karma-wise, baseball-gods-wise." He elaborated that, "out of respect for the game," it was the right decision to go after Ohtani and try to get him out.

"That's a bad move, baseball-wise, karma-wise, baseball-gods-wise. You go after him and see if you can get him out."

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker explains why they didn't walk Ohtani and what it was like to watch the historic performance tonight. pic.twitter.com/VhmZvLvmnD
— Bally Sports Florida: Marlins (@BallyMarlins) September 20, 2024

The Marlins are not in contention for a playoff spot this year. With a record of 56-97 after the history-making game, they have been out of the running for quite a while.

Sports Illustrated's Ryan Phillips aptly observed:

"Schumaker is a respected former player, a World Series champion and the reigning National League Manager of the Year. What he did Thursday night will make him a lot more fans than he already has."

Salute to Schumaker for going with his instincts and doing the right thing.

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