Shohei Ohtani already bleeding Dodger Blue as act two of Sho-Time set to open
Baseball Softball
So it begins.
One dog, a $700 million contract (USD) and a newly revealed wife later, Shohei Ohtani is set to sail on his journey with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“I’m grateful for all the attention but more than anything, I’m with a new team and I’ve been trying to fit in with my team-mates ever since breaking camp,” Ohtani said on 16 March (Sunday) after arriving in Seoul for Major League Baseball’s season-opening series against the San Diego Padres.
“I’m looking forward to playing with these brilliant players. I hope to get the job done so they can accept me as one of their own.”
It’s already happened - and then some.
Shohei Ohtani: 'Winning is the most imporant thing'
Not only has Ohtani commanded the respect and admiration of his peers with his personality and work ethic, he has quickly become the face of the Dodgers who he signed with during the winter from the Los Angeles Angels for the largest deal in world team sports history. He looks so good and natural in Dodger Blue as if he were born to wear it.
In the most anticipated free agency perhaps since LeBron James bolted the Cleveland Cavaliers the first time, Ohtani chose the Dodgers because, plain and simple, he felt they gave him the best chance at a ring (his wedding ring with former basketball player Mamiko Tanaka notwithstanding).
How badly does Ohtani want to win? He deferred $680 million of his contract without interest so the team could manage a competitive payroll.
The two-time American League MVP never played post-season baseball in his six years with the Angels, which is about the only thing missing on a resume packed with honours for the generational talent from Japan.
“As you can tell from the way the contract is structured, (winning) is at the top of my list of priorities,” the 29-year-old said during his introductory press conference in December, which was watched by 70 million people globally.
“Being honest, no one knows how many more years I have left as a ballplayer so right now, winning is the most important thing to me.”
Marrying man: Shohei Ohtani revealed during spring training that he wed Japanese basketball player Mamiko Tanaka.
Shohei Ohtani on future goals
Ohtani will not pitch in 2024 after repairing a torn UCL he suffered in August. His elbow appeared to give out as the larger-than-life figure dominated at the plate and on the mound.
Ohtani’s second MVP campaign - the first-ever player to win the award unanimously twice - followed the World Baseball Classic in March, when he led Japan to the title with a fairytale ending, fanning then Angels team-mate and USA captain Mike Trout for the last out.
Boasting herculean power, Ohtani clubbed 44 home runs last season, becoming the first Asian-born home run king in history. He led the majors with a 1.066 OPS while batting .304 along with 95 RBIs and 20 stolen bases.
And that was as the Angels’ ace of the pitching staff.
All eyes this season will be on how much damage and destruction Ohtani can do focusing on one job, batting in between a pair of former MVPs in Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
Can Ohtani lead himself and his new team to the promised land? The Dodgers have won 10 of the last 11 National League West titles, but with only one World Series championship to show for.
The curtains go up on Season 7 of Sho-Time on Wednesday.
“I want to be known as someone who was irreplaceable as we aim to win it all. The size of the contract speaks about the expectations for me and I hope I can come through. I’m all in, as always.”
Ohtani will bat only this season as the Dodgers' DH.