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Sergio Perez Names the LA Dodgers Star He’d Want to Be

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Samriddhi Jaiswal | Last updated Sep 18, 2025 4:54 AM ET

Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez traded the F1 paddock for the pitcher’s mound this week, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Los Angeles Dodgers game. But it wasn’t just his delivery that got him talking, it was the Mexican star’s quick response when asked which MLB player he’d want to be.

Asked during the Dodgers pregame: “If you were a baseball player, who would you be?” Perez instantly replied: “I would hope like Ohtani.”

That reference, of course, points to Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ $700 million superstar who has redefined the game with his rare two-way dominance. For Perez, the comparison felt both lighthearted and telling.

Much like Ohtani, Checo has made a career out of performing under immense pressure while carrying the expectations of an entire nation.

Fans loved the crossover moment. Social media lit up with comments praising Perez’s choice. The game at the Dodgers Stadium against the Philadelphia Phillies turned into more than just a regular baseball game.

It became a spotlight moment for F1’s growing popularity in the U.S. With Cadillac preparing to join the F1 grid in 2026 and the Las Vegas Grand Prix cementing its place on the calendar, Perez’s appearance on the mound felt like another sign of the sport’s American surge.

“if you were a MLB player who would you be?”
checo: “i would hope like ohtani” https://t.co/2lpv2qcIiu pic.twitter.com/gAkwjNlaYJ
— elena (@pocheccos) September 18, 2025

As for his pitch compared to Ohtani’s fastball? It can be said that it has “more downforce than velocity,” but Perez walked off the mound smiling. Just like on track, the moment was about confidence, showmanship, and connecting with the crowd.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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