The Greatest Display of Power

The fastball screamed toward Shohei Ohtani at 100 mph. Robert Suárez's pitch struck him square on the right shoulder blade. Bottom of the ninth. Dodgers versus Padres. All his teammates where ready to start a brawl. Then Ohtani raised his left hand.

He waved toward his dugout. Calmly. Deliberately. Stay there. Stand down. Don't come out. His teammates stayed put. The commentators were stunned. It is rare to witnessed this. A player absorbing a 100 mph fastball, immediately signaling peace, and defusing the coming brawl.

His self-control prevented it. Ohtani walked calmly to first base. This is what Yogi Ramacharaka meant when he wrote: "He who is able to control himself is more powerful than he who controls armies."

In any stadium across America, 99% of players drop their bat and charge. Fists fly. Benches clear. We've seen this pattern countless times. It is ancient. Someone strikes you, you strike back.

But Ohtani's mind ruled his body. Pain flooded his nervous system. Adrenaline dumped into his bloodstream. Every instinct screamed retaliate. And he remained calm.

This is Yoga. Self-control. The kingdom of one's own mind, ruled not by impulse but by will. Ohtani both refused to charge the mound, and actively prevented his teammates from doing so. One hand raised, and an entire team's momentum shifted.

The greatest display of power came in perfect stillness.