ANAHEIM, CA – In a season that has hovered around the .500 mark yet again and been filled with significant injuries to stars like Mike Trout among others, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have still managed to stay relevant thanks to their Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani.
(Courtesy of MLB)
During his short tenure in the MLB, Ohtani’s career has been littered with injuries, especially undergoing Tommy John surgery during his rookie season in 2018. It’s been a tough road back to get healthy enough to pitch and hit consistently in the same season. However, Ohtani has been able to put it altogether in 2021 and has turned Angels baseball into “Sho-Time.”
Ohtani has hit 28 home runs this season, a league-high, to go along with 63 RBIs, 11 stolen bases, and a 1.042 OPS. That’s just as a hitter; as a pitcher, he’s 3-1 with a 2.58 ERA with 82 Ks and an opponent’s batting average of just .188.
It’s not just the stats that are impressive for Ohtani, it’s how he’s doing everything. We’ve seen three home runs have an exit velocity of over 115 MPH, a majestic 470-foot home run (the longest of his career), a 10-strikeout, no walk game, and slugging a home run the day after that 10-strikeout outing.
(Courtesy of MLB)
How many guys can hit the ball nearly 500 feet out of a stadium and throw a 100-MPH fastball? Not even the legend Babe Ruth, whom Ohtani is often compared to, can say that.
However, a striking similarity between “Sho-Time” and The Great Bambino is that both players are the reasons why you a buy a ticket to a game, to see greatness up close, whether you are a fan of their respective team or not.
Even Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant showed up recently to an Angels/Yankees game in the Bronx to get a glimpse of Ohtani.
That captivating ability will also be on display during the All-Star break as Ohtani will compete in the Home Run Derby at Coors Field, becoming the first Japanese player to participate in the event. Ohtani’s power combined with the thin air makes the Derby must-see TV this summer.
Ohtani’s transcendent talent is obviously a great thing for baseball as they have another international great to market to a larger audience, which allows for the continued growth of the MLB. We know marketing any stars has been a head-scratching problem for the league for years.
(Courtesy of MLB)
Manager Joe Maddon recently spoke about the type of competitor Ohtani is as well.
“He’s pretty good,” Maddon said. “Beyond everything, you’re seeing this guy really likes to compete. He really likes the moment. There’s all this ubiquitous talent that he’s got but, he loves to compete and he plays the game.”
So not only is Ohtani immensely talented, but he wants to win. Unfortunately, he’s on a Halos squad where winning consistently has become difficult in recent years, even with other All-Star level players like Trout and Anthony Rendon.
If nothing else, Ohtani is keeping the Angels relevant, because fans will tune in to watch him do something great much like they did with Trout in his early years. Whether he’s on the mound or at the plate, Ohtani isn’t just “Sho-Time,” he is the show right now.
