Dodgers’ Stan Kasten: Shohei Ohtani’s Global Impact Has 'Exceeded Everything We Anticipated'

Key Concepts

• Dodgers' fan base and attendance
• Pitching depth and injuries
• Evolution of baseball game strategy
• Player health concerns
• Rule changes in baseball
• Collective bargaining and potential lockout
• Regional Sports Network (RSN) revenue
• Internationalization of baseball
• Shohei Ohtani's impact
• International scouting
• Commissioner Rob Manfred's tenure

Season Performance and Fan Support

The Dodgers are having a great year, blessed with passionate and loyal fan support. They are on track to reach 4 million in attendance for the first time in the team's history, indicating strong fan engagement. Despite unexpected injuries, the team is positioned well for October.

Team Building and Pitching Strategy

The Dodgers entered the season with a focus on pitching, boasting a roster with multiple potential starting pitchers, including Japanese pitchers Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, and Rory Sasaki, along with Blake Snell, Clayton Kershaw, and Tyler Glasnow. However, injuries led to periods of thin starting pitching. The speaker emphasizes the importance of pitching depth, stating, "If you told me at the start of the year, I've got five starters, I would tell you, great. I only need five more, and then I have a chance." The goal is to have a deep and healthy staff by October, which requires a large pool of pitchers.

Evolution of Baseball and Player Health

The game has evolved significantly over the past two generations. Batters now focus on "grinding" at-bats and wearing down pitchers, leading to more bullpen usage with pitchers throwing at higher velocities (98+ mph). While the business of baseball is thriving with record attendance and viewership, player health is a major concern for teams, the league, the union, and fans. Research is ongoing to address health issues, but there is still disagreement within the medical community about the causes and solutions. Jeff Passan's book, "The Arm," highlights the uncertainty surrounding arm injuries in baseball.

Rule Changes and the Future of Baseball

Small rule changes, such as limiting relief pitchers and requiring three-batter minimums, have been implemented. The speaker mentions the pitch clock as a successful change, reducing game times by 30 minutes or more. The rules committee is continuously looking at more changes for the future.

Collective Bargaining and Potential Lockout

The speaker avoids discussing the specifics of collective bargaining but acknowledges that a lockout would be detrimental to the game. "No one ever wants the game to be held up. We, we thrive. Everyone, fans, teams, players, by having the games played."

Regional Sports Network (RSN) Revenue and Streaming

The Dodgers have a healthy TV situation due to a long-term deal with Charter (formerly Time Warner Cable). Unlike some other teams facing RSN revenue problems, the Dodgers are in a stable position. They do not have the flexibility to do side deals for digital rights due to their partnership with Charter and MLB. The speaker references Ted Turner's observation that delivery modes change every 25 years (telegraph, newspaper, radio, TV/cable, streaming).

Internationalization of Baseball and Shohei Ohtani's Impact

MLB is aiming to accumulate local rights and sell a nationalized local product, with the goal of eliminating blackouts and making games accessible to all fans. The speaker endorses these goals. Social media and the presence of exciting young players from various countries have contributed to increased viewership and attendance. The speaker notes the success of the Savannah Bananas, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing fan enjoyment.

Shohei Ohtani's impact on the Dodgers and MLB has exceeded expectations. While specific numbers are not shared, the speaker confirms a significant increase in revenues, ticketing, and sponsorships, including new international sponsors. Ohtani's global popularity has propelled interest in baseball, particularly internationally. MLB is focusing on expanding its reach in Europe and the Indian subcontinent. The speaker draws a parallel to the NBA's globalization with European players, predicting that major league caliber players will eventually emerge from Europe and India.

International Scouting and Player Evaluation

The success of players like Ichiro has reinforced the quality of players in Asian countries, leading to increased scouting efforts in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

Commissioner Rob Manfred's Tenure

The speaker acknowledges the challenges faced by Commissioner Rob Manfred, including COVID-19, labor issues, and TV dislocation. He suggests these challenges may have contributed to Manfred's decision to leave.

Conclusion

The Dodgers are experiencing a successful period marked by strong fan support, strategic team building, and the global impact of Shohei Ohtani. While challenges remain, particularly regarding player health and the evolving media landscape, the future of baseball appears bright, driven by internationalization, technological advancements, and a focus on enhancing the fan experience.