On September 2, 2025, at PNC Park, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani delivered a moment that left the baseball world in awe, including his teammate Dalton Rushing, whose stunned reaction captured the sentiment of everyone watching. Ohtani, in the third inning of a 9-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, crushed a solo home run off rookie pitcher Bubba Chandler at an astonishing 120 mph, marking the hardest-hit ball in Dodgers history since Statcast began tracking in 2015. Rushing’s visceral response, caught on camera by SportsNet LA, became an instant viral sensation, encapsulating the sheer disbelief at Ohtani’s superhuman feat. The moment underscored why Ohtani remains a singular force in Major League Baseball, even in a season filled with challenges.

The home run, Ohtani’s 46th of the 2025 season and his 100th as a Dodger, was a historic milestone. It came off a 99.2-mph fastball, making it the hardest-hit homer off a pitch of that velocity in the Statcast era, surpassing a record previously set by Aaron Judge. The ball rocketed into the right-field seats in just 3.6 seconds, traveling 373 feet with a bat speed of 82 mph. For Rushing, a rookie catcher who made his MLB debut earlier in the season, witnessing this from the dugout was nothing short of surreal. His wide-eyed expression and animated reaction, shared widely on social media, spoke volumes: even those who share a clubhouse with Ohtani are left speechless by his feats. “I mean, how do you even process that?” Rushing later said, still grinning. “It’s Shohei. He does things you can’t believe.”

Ohtani’s 2025 season has been a testament to his resilience and versatility. Despite undergoing shoulder surgery in November 2024 and returning to pitching in June, he has continued to dominate as a hitter, ranking third in MLB with 46 home runs, behind only Cal Raleigh and Kyle Schwarber. His 100th homer as a Dodger, achieved in just 294 games, broke Gary Sheffield’s franchise record for the fastest to reach the century mark. Beyond the numbers, it’s the manner of his feats—like this 120-mph blast—that sets him apart. Only five other home runs in Statcast history have matched or exceeded this exit velocity, with Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz holding the record at 122.9 mph. Ohtani’s blast was a reminder of his unparalleled power, especially as he balances the demands of being a two-way player.

For Rushing, a top prospect who earned the 2024 Minor League Player of the Year award, sharing the field with Ohtani has been a crash course in greatness. Since his call-up in May, Rushing has impressed, going 2-for-4 with a 110-mph single in his debut against the Athletics. His reaction to Ohtani’s homer, however, showed he’s still a fan at heart. Social media posts from Dodgers Nation and MLB captured Rushing’s jaw-dropping moment, with fans on X echoing his disbelief: “Dalton’s face is all of us,” one user wrote. The clip, paired with Ohtani’s towering shot, became a highlight of the game, even as the Dodgers fell to the Pirates.

The loss highlighted ongoing challenges for Los Angeles, who sit at 78-60 and are locked in a tight NL West race with the San Diego Padres. Ohtani’s performance, while dazzling, couldn’t overcome early struggles from Clayton Kershaw, who surrendered four runs in the first inning. Rushing, Mookie Betts, and Andy Pages contributed offensively, but the Pirates’ resilience proved too much. Ohtani’s homer, however, kept the Dodgers within striking distance, cutting the deficit to 4-2 before the team tied the game in the fourth. His ability to shift momentum, even in defeat, underscored his value to a team battling injuries and inconsistency.

As the 2025 season nears its climax, Ohtani’s pursuit of a fourth MVP award remains in focus, with his .279 average, 87 RBIs, and .998 OPS making a strong case. For Rushing, moments like these are a reminder of the privilege of playing alongside a once-in-a-generation talent. The MLB community, from fans to players, continues to marvel at Ohtani’s feats, with Rushing’s reaction serving as a universal expression of awe. As the Dodgers push for another postseason run, Ohtani’s 120-mph homer will linger as a testament to his extraordinary ability—and a moment that left even his teammates, like Rushing, utterly speechless.