The ‘Sho’ goes on; mural of Dodger slugger Shohei Ohtani unveiled ahead of home opener

As anticipation builds for the “Boys in Blue” this season, the excitement is also, well, on the building as a giant mural of Shohei Ohtani was unveiled today in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo just a day ahead of the Dodgers home opener.

Towering 11 stories over L.A., Ohtani, the newly minted Dodgers superstar, offers fans hope ahead of the season home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals.

“I have faith. I think they’ll take the [National League],” fan Julianne Crawford told KTLA’s John Fenoglio. “I think they’ll come out on top of the Braves.

Another fan, Kayoko, who was visiting L.A. from Japan says the two-way sensation is also huge in his home country.

“He’s great. He’s a superstar in Japan as well, and I’m very proud as a Japanese person,” she said.

The mural was unveiled Wednesday morning in front of cheering fans. World-renowned Boyle Heights artist Rober Vargas painted the mural by hand and calls it “L.A. Rising.”

“This mural has become so much more than just one player just like this city is so much more than just one player,” Vargas said at the unveiling. “We’re team L.A.”

Breaking out the paint was just one of many events around greater L.A. before opening day.

Thousands of fans, some who even camped overnight, showed up Wednesday morning at Raising Cane’s in Alhambra for a chance to meet All-Star and Gold-Glove winner Mookie Betts, who traded his jersey for an apron to take a few orders.

The popular fast-food chain presented Betts’ 505 Foundation, which helps fund sports and nutrition for kids, with a $100,000 donation during the event.

“It was pretty cold in the night, but it was worth it in the end,” one fan told KTLA of camping out to meet Betts.

Of course, the Dodgers’ blue blood runs deep in L.A. despite a week of uncertainty following theft and gambling allegations against Ohtani’s former interpreter. Fans who spoke to KTLA say they’re not bothered by the news and insist the Dodgers are the betting favorites to win the World Series.

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“There’s no better organization that’s more committed to winning a World Series,” L.A. Dodgers Catcher Will Smith said at a news conference. “That’s the most important thing to me when it comes to baseball.”

The Dodgers play the Cardinals Thursday in Chavez Ravine at 1:10 p.m.

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