The stage is set for a World Series rich in storylines, and at the center of it all stands Shohei Ohtani, whose every word now carries extra weight. As the Los Angeles Dodgers prepare to face the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night, the two-way superstar finds himself in a familiar narrative — one that stretches back to his free agency courtship less than a year ago.

Back then, Toronto appeared to be on the verge of landing the most coveted player in baseball, offering warm gestures and even gifts for Ohtani and his dog, Decoy. Ultimately, though, the Japanese sensation chose the Dodgers, signing a historic deal that reshaped the balance of power across Major League Baseball.

Now, as the Fall Classic looms, Blue Jays manager John Schneider has reignited that lighthearted past with a touch

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