Djokovic won five to Murray’s two but was the opponent for the Scot’s crowning achievement at Wimbledon in 2013. Andy Murray is to take over as coach for his old rival Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open. Here, the PA news agency looks at the seven Grand Slam finals contested by the pair. Australian Open 2011 – Djokovic Murray turned in a poor performance in Melbourne, failing at the third attempt to win a set in a Grand Slam final as Djokovic broke serve seven times and hit six aces to claim a comprehensive win 6-4 6-2 6-3. “You had an unbelievable tournament and deserved to win,” the Scot said in reference to his opponent. “I look forward to playing against you in the future.” US Open 2012 – Murray It took five sets for Murray to claim his first Grand Slam title, becoming the first British man to achieve the feat since Fred Perry in 1936. The final clocked in at four hours and 54 minutes as Murray prevailed 7-6 (10) 7-5 2-6 3-6 6-2 to end a wait of 287 tournaments in British male tennis for a victory. “I want to congratulate Andy on his first grand slam, he thoroughly deserves it,” said Djokovic. “I really tried my best. I gave it my all. It was a tremendous match.” Australian Open 2013 – Djokovic Murray was dogged by injury in Melbourne with a heavily strapped right foot and a tight hamstring as Djokovic fought back from a set down to land a third consecutive Australian Open title, 6-7 (2) 7-6 (3) 6-3 6-2. “His record here is incredible,” said Murray. ”Very few people have managed to do what he has done, a deserved champion.” Wimbledon 2013 – Murray Murray ended a 77-year wait for a British men’s victory at Wimbledon by defeating his old foe 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 in SW19, serving emphatically with nine aces and only two double faults to throw off the weight of history. The Scot had been 4-1 down in the second set as the match threatened to slip away from him and with it the chance to cement his place in tennis folklore, but having wasted three championship points he finally sealed the deal when Djokovic drove into the net with his final shot. Australian Open 2015 – Djokovic A post shared by Novak Djokovic (@djokernole) Djokovic triumphed 7-6 (5) 6-7 (4) 6-3 6-0 and after the 24 matches and five grand slam finals the pair had played against each other across nine years, the Serb had established a 16-8 overall lead and 3-2 in slam finals. “Success is being happy,” said Murray. “It’s not about winning every single tournament you play, because that isn’t possible.” Australian Open 2016 – Djokovic The Serb landed a fourth win over Murray in Australian Open finals and his 11th in 12 matches to land his 11th major title, whilst the Scot made it five consecutive final losses in Melbourne, a new record in the Open era. “I feel like I’ve been here before,” said Murray after a 6-1 7-5 7-6 (3) loss. “Congratulations Novak, six Australian Opens, an incredible feat, and incredible consistency the last year.” French Open 2016 – Djokovic This was Murray’s first final at Roland Garros but it brought a familiar conclusion as Djokovic triumphed against him for the fifth time in seven Grand Slam finals. The 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-4 success was a first win for the Serb in Paris and saw him hold all four slams simultaneously. Murray went on to win Wimbledon the following month and was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year but, addressing Djokovic in Paris, said: “This is his day today. What he’s achieved the last 12 months is phenomenal, winning all four of the grand slams in one year is an amazing achievement.”None
McConnell to head subcommittee overseeing defense spending as he prepares to step down as GOP leader
Check out the report card from Nebraska's 44-25 win against Wisconsin on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Who can name Nebraska's last 100-yard rusher in a game, before Emmett Johnson achieved the feat Saturday? Johnson ran like he had something to prove, repeatedly shedding the first Badger to get to him. His best run of the day may have been a 19-yard burst in the third quarter when he patiently followed pulling linemen Ben Scott and Henry Lutovsky. Dante Dowdell has a knack for the end zone, scoring three times. (Trivia answer: Chubba Purdy ... against Wisconsin last year). Dylan Raiola has his rhythm back. He spent most of the game hovering around a 70 percent completion rate, which is reminiscent of his first four or five games. The ball is getting out of his hands quicker, and those pitch-and-catches are finally going for big gains. One of his best throws of the day was originally ruled a touchdown on a fade ball to Isaiah Neyor, but replay confirmed he didn't get a foot down. Jahmal Banks had a great TD snag in which he leaped, snared the ball and got his toes down. John Bullock's second tackle for loss of the game stopped Wisconsin's Tawee Walker on fourth-and-1 midway through the third quarter, and it felt like an early dagger for the home team. Bullock was a standout on senior day. The Huskers had some open-field tackling issues but held their own on third- and fourth-down situations. Darrion Dupree was a nice change-of-pace option for the Badgers, averaging 7.5 yards on his seven attempts. Wisconsin found success early on slant passes, including one that went to Vinny Anthony for 42 yards after Isaac Gifford whiffed on a tackle. After that, Braedyn Locke was able to open it for deep balls, including touchdown tosses of 24 and 58 yards. Wisconsin's Vinny Anthony had a big day, racking up six catches for 128 yards and Locke threw for more yards than he has in his past five games. A cool moment for DeShon Singleton, who came down with an interception in his final game at Memorial Stadium. Brian Buschini is having a great season, and Saturday was another notch on his belt. First, he ripped a 52-yard punt that flipped field possession, and he followed that up with a 49-yard boot that went out of bounds at the Wisconsin 3-yard line. Equally as impressive was kicker John "ol' reliable" Hohl, who made all three of his field goals and stayed clean on extra points. Oh, and how about Jacory Barney's 55-yard kick return to open the game? NU's third phase is trending up after a turbulent stretch. A question we might not ever get an answer to: Why was Matt Rhule forced to use a challenge to review Wisconsin's first-quarter touchdown? Don't all scoring plays get reviewed automatically? In a similar situation later in the game, Wisconsin was spared from using a challenge for officials to take another look at a Nebraska touchdown, which was reversed. Also, the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Micah Mazzccua for spiking the ball on a touchdown felt unnecessary. Nebraska scored a touchdown on its first possession of a game for the first time since the Northern Iowa game. A true tone-setter. There's plenty to unpack from Holgorsen's play sheet — it's no coincidence it only took him two games to pop a 100-yard rusher. And, 44 points for a team that has scored 20 (twice), 17, 7 and 14 in its past five games. That'll do. For the first time in 49 days, Nebraska won a football game. That was a long 49 for everyone involved. This one is a little more cathartic than usual, too, as the Huskers finally wrapped their arms around a bowl berth. It also takes a big bite out of the pressure NU faces on Black Friday vs. Iowa, which is no longer a "must-win." Get local news delivered to your inbox!Academic performance remains stagnant. Most Popular Trending Nationally
Sen. Mitch McConnell said Thursday he will lead a subcommittee overseeing defense spending as he carves out new roles once he relinquishes his as Senate Republican leader. The Kentucky Republican revealed he will assume the chairmanship of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. The role dovetails with his constant message that America needs a bulked-up military to deter threats from adversaries such as Russia, Iran and China. The transition comes as McConnell is ending his role as the longest-serving Senate leader in history, just as Republicans prepare to take majority control of the chamber after big gains in this month's election. Republicans elected , a top deputy to McConnell, as the next Senate majority leader. McConnell, 82, said Thursday he will assume the subcommittee chairmanship at a critical time. “America’s national security interests face the gravest array of threats since the Second World War," the senator said in a statement. “At this critical moment, a new Senate Republican majority has a responsibility to secure the future of U.S. leadership and primacy.” McConnell frequently evokes Ronald Reagan’s mantra of “peace through strength” when discussing foreign policy risks and how the U.S. should respond. McConnell's stance could clash with President-elect Donald Trump’s “America First” doctrine on foreign affairs. McConnell worked with Trump on a tax cuts package and the appointment of conservative judges — including three justices to the nine-member Supreme Court — during Trump's first term as president. Fighting back against isolationism within his own party, McConnell has championed sending weapons and other aid to Ukraine as it fends off Russia’s invasion. McConnell said Thursday he's also set to become chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, which is often a more low-key panel at the center of big issues, both at the Capitol and in the country. The committee oversees the administration of the Senate side of the building, including during inaugurations. But it also puts McConnnell at the center of weighty topics, namely federal elections and voting rights as well as the procedures of the Senate, including the debate around the filibuster. McConnell said the committee will have important work in the coming two years. “Defending the Senate as an institution and protecting the right to political speech in our elections remain among my longest-standing priorities,” he said. There had been considerable speculation about what roles McConnell would take after stepping down as Republican leader. He has two years left in his current Senate term and has not signaled whether he will run for reelection in Kentucky in 2026. McConnell has been a prolific appropriator for the Bluegrass State, a role he’s well positioned to continue.Fabio Galindo Takes Future Climate to International Recognition Award 12-23-2024 06:54 PM CET | Arts & Culture Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: SEO ESTRATEGISTA Future Climate was recognized as an innovative startup accelerating decarbonization and attracting global investments focused on environmental conservation and sustainable development. Image: https://www.globalnewslines.com/uploads/2024/12/9c34ec848b77b65f9a8cdd34445291de.jpg Sao Paulo - December 23, 2024 - This Monday, Future Climate received an Honorable Mention at the ApexBrasil-Exame Award during a ceremony held at the Tomie Ohtake Institute in Sao Paulo. Future Climate stood out as an innovative startup accelerating decarbonization and attracting global investments focused on environmental conservation and sustainable development. The company also gained recognition for its projects promoting biodiversity, bioeconomy, and positive impacts on local communities, such as the Rio Madeira Project, which conserves a total of 52,000 hectares of native forest in the states of Amazonas, Acre, and Rondonia, attracting foreign resources through the generation of high-integrity carbon credits. Fabio Galindo, CEO of Future Climate, highlighted the importance of this recognition. "Receiving the Honorable Mention from ApexBrasil reaffirms our commitment as a platform for investment in climate solutions and the promotion of a sustainable economy for local communities. This mention strengthens our mission to foster biodiversity and social impact in environmental conversion projects," he stated. Image: https://www.globalnewslines.com/uploads/2024/12/cc73cc5d9dccdbfb0b184b716a7027c5.jpg The award, organized by ApexBrasil in partnership with Exame magazine, recognizes companies that make significant contributions on the international stage, aligned with the strategic pillars of ApexBrasil: sustainability, innovation, gender equality, regional development, and international expansion. These criteria aim to promote the global competitiveness of Brazilian companies and consolidate Brazil's image as a strategic player in the international market. Through its offices in strategic countries such as the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and Singapore, Future Climate attracts foreign investments for strategic projects, channeling and directing long-term climate investment funds to Brazilian projects. "This recognition is especially valuable at a time when the Brazilian regulated carbon market has just been created by the National Congress [PL182/2024] and the next COP30 will be hosted in Brazil (2025). It is a stimulus for us to further contribute to attracting international investments aimed at forest conservation and Brazilian biodiversity," Galindo emphasized. He also recalled that COP29, held in November in Baku, Azerbaijan, regulated Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, establishing the rules and guidelines for the global carbon market. This development positions Brazil to become a major exporter of environmental assets and confirms its role as a leader in the global green agenda. Image: https://www.globalnewslines.com/uploads/2024/12/5a30e54a952a0697726ffb9d34865dca.jpg About Future Climate Future Climate is a climate business platform offering integrated ecosystem solutions, operating in strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy to accelerate a just climate transition and generate positive planetary impact. The company employs an innovative methodology combining project management, compliance, consulting, and climate finance, focusing on renewable energy transition, forest restoration, and low-carbon agroforestry systems. Committed to technology, quality, and integrity, Future Climate develops initiatives through its BEYOND CARBON Trademark product, which mitigates emissions, promotes biodiversity, and drives social impact. For more information, visit our website: futureclimate.com Media Contact Company Name: Future Climate Contact Person: Media Relations Country: Brazil Website: https://futureclimate.com/ This release was published on openPR.
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage, and Culture, Attaullah Tarar, levelled serious allegations against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of exploiting fake visuals and misinformation campaigns on social media to mislead the public and create unrest in the country. Speaking at a press conference, the minister claimed that PTI used footage of Israeli atrocities in Gaza and old images from their own tenure to depict violence during protests in Islamabad’s D-Chowk. “The PTI’s entire narrative is built on deception. They are politicizing fabricated images and videos to cover up the embarrassment of their failed protests,” he stated. Tarar criticized the party for propagating “fake news” and alleged that they had linked irrelevant visuals to their political agenda. According to him, no direct evidence of the casualties claimed by PTI neither bodies nor hospital records have surfaced, despite their assertions of deaths caused by violence. “Not a single verified video or photograph of sniper fire or direct shooting has been provided by PTI. Their own videos show them fleeing the scene,” Tarar said, emphasizing that government hospitals, including PIMS and Polyclinic, had not received any such cases. In a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government resolved to ensure peace and order. The minister reiterated the government’s stance on maintaining national stability amidst what he described as PTI’s attempts to derail progress. Highlighting positive developments, Tarar said Pakistan’s economic indicators were showing improvement, including the stock market crossing 100,000 points and foreign reserves exceeding $11 billion. He also celebrated the reopening of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) European routes, which he said would revive the airline’s revenue and reputation. The minister accused PTI of attempting to sabotage these advancements. “While Pakistan is progressing, PTI continues its politics of anarchy and misinformation,” he asserted. Tarar also shed light on PTI’s “internal conflicts”, referring to tensions between party leaders, including Bushra Bibi, Ali Amin Gandapur, and others. He stated that their disunity reflected the party’s declining relevance and inability to connect with the public. “PTI has failed to mobilize significant public support, as even the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa rejected their call for protests,” he said. The minister claimed that PTI’s actions had led to a loss of Rs190 billion for local businesses and accused the party of damaging public property and government assets. Tarar warned those arrested during the protests would face speedy trials and be held accountable for their actions. “We will not let their lies destabilize the country,” he said, adding that the government had established a verification cell to counter misinformation and expose false narratives. Copyright Business Recorder, 2024
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The kitchen dos and don'ts of Thanksgiving turkey preparationRecent breakthroughs in genetics research may have uncovered new genes underlying common psychiatric disorders. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder affect more than 64 million people around the world. These disorders are strongly influenced by genetics. No one gene, however, determines one’s risk of developing schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Rather, it is likely that a host of genes contribute to risk. Using artificial intelligence, researchers at Stanford University now have uncovered complex variants throughout the human genome that may contribute to these psychiatric disorders. This new study suggests that mutations that occur after fertilization, such as genetic mosaicism, may be responsible for a number of psychiatric disorders including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Think of a genome as a living book with instructions for every cell in the body. Our genes are the chapters. We have approximately 20,0000 genes that provide instructions for making proteins, the building blocks of life. The vast majority of our genes, however, are non-coding, meaning that they do not provide instructions for proteins. Nonetheless, these genes play an important role in genetics and regulating cell function. Genetic variants, or spelling changes, in either a coding or non-coding region can interfere with how the cell translates specific instructions. A small typo may have little to no effect on how the book is read. However, larger spelling changes can lead to the deletion of a sentence or even a whole chapter. Without the correct instructions to produce specific proteins, these spelling changes can contribute to disorders that impact different aspects of our body. Our genes are a combination of the DNA we inherit from our parents. We have two copies of each gene, one from mom and the other from dad. These randomly assorted gene pairs determine traits like hair texture, eye color, and even some health risks. Some traits are dominant, meaning that only one copy of the variant is needed for expression. Others are recessive and only show up if both copies are the same. This is referred to as Mendelian inheritance, named after Dr. Gregor Mende’s initial observations of how genes are passed down in pea plants. In the earliest stages of life, DNA undergoes multiple rounds of replication. Trillions of cell divisions occur, during which one cell splits into two identical daughter cells. DNA replication, however, is prone to mistakes. Each time a cell divides, tiny spelling errors are produced in the genome. Rapid replication during the first trimester of pregnancy, therefore, can introduce a host of genetic changes not seen in mom or dad. This is known as genetic mosaicism, where two or more genetically distinct cell populations are expressed in the body. Mosaicism can appear as two different color eyes, or alternating patterns of skin as shown below. A number of conditions have also been associated with mosaicism such as developmental delays, autism, epilepsy, and some cancers. We all have some degree of genetic mosaicism in our bodies. This is why identical twins can have different fingerprints. Genetic variants can also be acquired throughout an individual’s lifespan that further change our genome’s mosaic. Changes in DNA may arise from exposure to chemicals or radiation, or from infections such as hepatitis B and C that corrupt the genetic material in a host cell. Other variants are acquired randomly. DNA may develop errors during replication and other normal cell functions. This damage is exacerbated by inflammation, aging, and lifestyle choices like smoking and poor diet. Pinpointing which variants contribute to certain disorders, therefore, can sometimes be a very complex process. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) can help identify small changes in DNA. This genetic test maps an individual's entire genome using samples collected from blood or check swabs. Whole genome sequencing extracts the exact sequences that comprise each chapter of our DNA. The extracted sequences are then compared to reference genes from a typical human genome. Any difference between an individual’s genome and the reference genome reveals a potential variant that could be associated with a disorder. Alexander Urban, senior author of this study and Associate Professor at Stanford, describes, “Looking for only simple variations is like proofreading a book manuscript and searching exclusively for typos that change single letters. You are overlooking words that are scrambled or duplicated, or in the wrong order—you might even miss that half a chapter is gone.” Certain disorders, in fact, may be linked to long, complex spelling changes in an individual’s genes. It is made even more complicated by the fact that variants across several genes may overlap with more than one disorder. Many psychiatric disorders are influenced by multiple changes across similar genes. Bipolar disorders and schizophrenia are prime examples of the complexity of the human genome. Hundreds of genetic variants have been identified that contribute to risk. Many of these genes are linked to brain development, immune system regulation, and neuron signaling pathways. The AKAP11 gene, in particular, has been found to be a strong risk factor for bipolar disorder, though recent studies in mice suggest that this gene may also be implicated in schizophrenia. Understanding how spelling changes in this gene interact with other high-risk variants may help to decipher what induces the onset of psychiatric symptoms. In their study, Zhou et. al compared the genomes of over 4,000 individuals around the world. Their entire DNA sequence was extracted using whole genome sequencing. The data was then uploaded into an AI algorithm trained to recognize dozens of genomes across diverse ancestry. This approach allowed researchers to match large, complex gene variants with specific health conditions. The study specifically recruited individuals with known bipolar disorder or schizophrenia diagnoses and compared them to healthy controls. This type of approach is known as a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Genome-wide association studies compare the genes of individuals with a particular disease to a large cohort of controls. While this approach can tell us where variants are located, this information is often not precise. For instance, it may tell us that the book contains spelling changes on pages 122, 296, and 731, but not what type of errors are involved. The AI algorithm developed by Zhou et. al adds more specificity. It highlights the changed word or sentence and reports whether it has been scrambled, duplicated, or deleted. With more than 85% accuracy, the AI tool identified more than 8,000 complex variants. Many of these spelling changes were found in regions of the genome that provide instructions for brain function. To determine if these variants could be linked to psychiatric disorders, they extracted DNA from brain tissue samples of individuals affected by schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The complex variants that they identified seemed to overlap with single variants found in other genome-wide association studies of these disorders. For instance, one complex variant that they found correlated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder was the length of 4,700 base pairs, the basic unit of DNA. In the book analogy, base pairs are like the words in the book. New innovations in genetic research are deepening our understanding of the human genome. By analyzing vast amounts of genetic data, AI technology is uncovering intricate relationships between large variants and certain psychiatric disorders. This not only enhances our understanding of the genetic basis of these disorders but also paves the way for personalized medicine. As we continue to uncover more of the human genome, future studies may reveal deeper insights into the genetic underpinnings of an array of disorders.
A Federal Court judge has dismissed an appeal by a “deeply religious” British Columbia health executive who said he was wrongfully denied employment insurance after being fired three years ago for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Darold Sturgeon was fired as executive director of medical affairs for Interior Health in November 2021 after refusing to get the vaccine based on his Christian beliefs. He applied for employment insurance benefits but was denied due to being fired for “misconduct,” with appeals to two levels of the Social Security Tribunal also failing, leading him to seek a judicial review in Federal Court in August 2023. The ruling says Sturgeon believed the tribunal should have examined his assertion under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that the term “misconduct” did not apply to his case “because he was exercising his freedom of religion.” Justice William Pentney says “recent, abundant and unanimous case law” defined a specific and narrow role for the tribunal’s appeal divisions, focusing on an employee’s conduct, and not justification for and employer’s policies or compliance with the Charter. The ruling says Sturgeon’s appeal fell “outside the mandate” of the tribunal and he could have challenged Interior Health’s mandatory vaccine police “through other avenues.” These included advancing a Charter claim, lodging a wrongful dismissal suit or labour grievance, or complaining to the British Columbia Human Rights Commission. “The point is, there were other avenues available to pursue the Charter question; this decision does not cut off the only avenue of relief,” the ruling says. It added of Sturgeon, who represented himself, that “no one has doubted that he acted based on his understanding of his religious obligations,” and that he had “ably advanced his arguments.” “However, despite his sincere and thoughtful arguments, the binding jurisprudence requires that I find against him,” the ruling says.Briefs
LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani is keeping elite company. The Japanese superstar caps 2024 by winning The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the third time, tying him with basketball great Michael Jordan. He trails only four-time winners Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods and LeBron James. "I'm very honored," Ohtani said through translator Matt Hidaka in an exclusive interview with the AP. "Obviously all the hard work has paid off. Maybe next year, I'll get the award again." In balloting by 74 sports journalists from the AP and its members, Ohtani received 48 votes. He previously won the award in 2023 and 2021, when he was with the Angels. "Growing up in Japan, I did follow Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods," he said. "I would see their accolades and how they were successful in the United States." The AP honor has been given out since 1931. Golfer Babe Didrikson won six times, the most by a man or woman. Swimmer Léon Marchand of France, who won four gold medals at the Paris Olympics, was second with 10 votes in balloting announced Monday. Golfer Scottie Scheffler, whose victories this year included the Masters and an Olympic gold medal, was third with nine. The AP Female Athlete of the Year will be announced Tuesday. Moving from the beleaguered Los Angeles Angels to the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player award and first in the National League, led his new team to its eighth World Series championship and created Major League Baseball's 50/50 club by hitting 54 home runs and stealing 59 bases. Ohtani signed a then-record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers in December 2023. Already a two-way superstar, he embellished his reputation even further despite not pitching all season while he rehabilitated from a second major right elbow surgery he had in September 2023. Ohtani went wild on offense, making every at-bat a must-see moment. The 6-foot-4 designated hitter batted a career-high .310 while easily surpassing his previous career highs in home runs and stolen bases. In September, he reached the previously unheard of 50/50 mark in a performance for the ages. Against the Miami Marlins in Florida, Ohtani went 6 for 6 with three homers, 10 RBIs, two stolen bases and 17 total bases. "It wouldn't shock me if he went 60/60 and 20 wins a year from now," Brad Ausmus, who managed the Angels in 2019 during Ohtani's second season in Anaheim, said recently. "This guy is the greatest athlete to ever play the sport of baseball and there's not a close second." Ohtani said he knew the Dodgers' franchise record for most homers in a season was 49. His previous best was 46, set in 2021. "I kind of wanted to get over that bar," he said. "I was pleasantly surprised I was able to pass that record." Ohtani carried the Dodgers offensively during the regular season, and he stayed healthy until Game 2 of the World Series. He injured his left shoulder trying to steal second base against the New York Yankees and finished the Series playing hurt. He underwent surgery a few days after the Dodgers celebrated their championship in early November. "I don't have full range of motion yet, but it feels a lot better," he told the AP. "There's no pain. There's obviously still a little bit of tightness, but slowly but surely it's getting better." Ohtani recently received an updated rehab schedule, and he's focused on the near-term. "It's the small steps that I think are very important to get me to the ultimate goal, which is to just get back healthy," he said. Ohtani is also throwing in the 70 mph range, which is typical for pitchers early in the offseason. "I'm going to continue to ramp up slowly," he said. The Dodgers' rotation for next season is in flux, and Ohtani is waiting to see how it shakes out. "We may go with a five-man rotation with a bullpen (game), which is what we did a lot during this season or we may have a six-man rotation," he said. "But it's all about balancing out when we can get rest and recuperate. We'll see where that takes us along the playoff chase. I've got to obviously pace myself, but again that situation will guide us to how we get there." The Dodgers open the 2025 season in Japan, where Ohtani is even more closely watched. "My personal goal is to be fully healthy by the time the opening games do start," he said. "To be able to pitch and hit would be great, but the situation will kind of guide itself." Each time Ohtani comes to the plate or steps on the mound, there's great pressure and expectation for him to perform spectacular feats. "I just go out there and try to stay within myself," he said. "I can only control what I can control and that's where you trust your teammates. The guys behind me, you trust they're going to make the plays for you. I don't really try to overthink it." Ohtani generated big bucks for the Dodgers off the field, too. Fans traveled from Japan in droves to see him play around the U.S. At Dodger Stadium, they paid extra for tours of baseball's third-oldest venue narrated by Japanese-speaking guides and to be on the field during pre-game batting practice. A majority of the fans bought Ohtani-branded merchandise, especially his No. 17 jersey. Ohtani's presence also helped the Dodgers land a bevy of new Japanese sponsors. Because Ohtani prefers to speak Japanese and use an interpreter with the media, he is shrouded in a bit of mystique. Asked before his first postgame series if he was nervous, he dropped a one-word answer in English: "Nope," which drew laughter. Japanese-born Dodgers manager Dave Roberts observed Ohtani's behind-the-scenes interactions with his teammates, coaches and staff, and came away impressed. "I really do believe that as good of a ballplayer as he is, he's a much better person. He's very kind, considerate, he cares," Roberts told the AP. "I'm just proud of any fame or glory or award that he receives because he just does it in such a respectful and humble way." Ohtani relishes his privacy and rarely shares details about himself off the field. That's why his February announcement via Instagram that he had wed Mamiko Tanaka, a former basketball player, stunned his new teammates and the rest of the world. The following month, after the Dodgers arrived in South Korea to open the season, he was enveloped in scandal when his longtime interpreter and friend, Ippei Mizuhara, was fired by the Dodgers after being accused of using millions of dollars of Ohtani's money to place bets with an illegal bookmaker. His new teammates rallied around Ohtani, who was found to have no part in the wrongdoing, and publicly it didn't seem to affect him even if he was privately distressed by it. By June, the uproar had subsided. Mizuhara pleaded guilty to federal bank and tax fraud charges and admitted to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani. The public got a glimpse of Ohtani's softer side in August, when his dog Decoy delivered a first pitch to his owner on their shared bobblehead night. The Nederlandse Kooikerhondje exchanged an endearing high-five with Ohtani at the plate. As a result, Decoy became a celebrity in his own right, with his breed (pronounced COY-ker-HUND-che) making the list of the most mispronounced words of 2024. He and Ohtani were mentioned during the telecast of last month's National Dog Show, where the small Spaniel-type breed was among the competitors. "The number of the breed has kind of dwindled, so by him gaining a little bit of popularity hopefully that brings up the number of his breed," Ohtani said. "I do feel like we were able to, in a small way, contribute to the popularity of the dog and I'm sure Decoy himself would be happy about that." Ohtani will be looking to top himself next year while eyeing a repeat World Series title. "It's almost like right now you can lock in the Most Valuable Player in the National League award because no one has that ability or talent," Roberts said. "I'm just excited to see what '25 has for Shohei Ohtani." Get local news delivered to your inbox!