Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese professional baseball pitcher and designated hitter, was born in Oshu, Japan. He later became known as the sport’s greatest two-way player in a century following his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2018.

Shohei Ohtani was drafted by the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters as the first overall pick of the 2012 Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) draft. Despite his insistence on joining MLB immediately, he was persuaded to sign with the franchise after they promised that he could both pitch and hit for the Ham Fighters.

In 2013, Shohei Ohtani and his interpreter, Haruhi Mizuhara, met in Japan.

In 2015, Shohei Ohtani led the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) with a 2.24 ERA, showcasing his exceptional pitching skills. This was a significant achievement in his career.

In 2016, Shohei Ohtani had his best Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) season, posting the best ERA in the league (1.86) and leading the Ham Fighters to Pacific League and Japan Series championships. This was a remarkable accomplishment in his career.

On November 6, 2017, Shohei Ohtani made the decision to join the Los Angeles Angels, marking a significant moment in baseball history. His choice to join the MLB had a major impact on the league and fans around the world.

Analysis of Ohtani's performance against the Astros and Rays, the debate on whether he should play in the Home Run Derby, and the ideal scenario for when he pitches against the Yankees in the upcoming week.

Discussion about the matchup vs. the Yankees and what Ohtani has in common with two Yankees players - fellow Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka and fellow Rookie of the Year candidate Gleyber Torres. Also, a hypothetical story of Ohtani going to Drake's studio while the Angels were playing the Toronto Blue Jays.

Updates on Ohtani's knowledge of the Spanish language moving quicker than English, the discussion of Ohtani officially being listed as a DH on the 2018 All Star ballot, and a review of the week's games vs the Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers.

Shohei Ohtani gets placed on the DL for 3 weeks with a Grade 2 UCL sprain injury. The impact on Ohtani, the Angels, and baseball is discussed, including the possibility of Tommy John surgery, All Star voting, Rookie Of The Year battle, and the Angels' race for the second AL wild card spot with the Mariners.

The close friendship between Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani is highlighted, along with Ohtani's possible favorite movie, 'The Sandlot'. Ohtani's status on the DL through the end of June is also mentioned.

Shohei Ohtani has been cleared to hit after an injury evaluation. The massive amount of Japanese reporters covering him this season is also discussed.

Ohtani makes a controversial pitching return against the Houston Astros, defending World Series champions. The discussion revolves around the Angels bringing him back at this time, the outcome of the pitching start, and the implications of Albert Pujols' season-ending surgery on Ohtani and the DH hitting role.

Ohtani receives a recommendation for the Tommy John operation, impacting both his pitching and batting. He is expected to be back pitching in 2020 and could continue hitting next season.

Recap of the regular season conclusion - Ohtani confirms he's getting Tommy John surgery immediately after the last week of games, Mike Scioscia announces he won't be returning as manager for the Angels next year after 19 years, the discovery of Ohtani's Spanish singing skills (Despacito!), his final thoughts on the season, and a recap of the week's series games against the Texas Rangers and Oakland A's.

Recap of the entire rookie season for Ohtani, going back to when the news first broke a year ago of his decision to come to America at the end of 2017. It goes through the key events and dates throughout, and what it meant to the bigger picture. Additionally, it mentions some newly learned insight from Ohtani on his reflections of the year.

Discussion about Babe Ruth's case for a two-way player 100 years ago in 1918, and the comparison with Shohei Ohtani challenging that a century later. It includes comparisons between the two players and the two periods of baseball, including their close stat lines and random overall connections.

Recap of Ohtani winning the Rookie Of The Year award and the current status of his arm following his Tommy John surgery and workouts. Also touches on Angels news with pickups, the big Mike Trout contract, and the retirement of Ohtani's idol Ichiro Suzuki. Ohtani is scheduled to come back in May.

Shohei Ohtani was activated to play again after recovering from an injury. The event discusses his performance in the first series back, predictions for the season, and updates on the Angels.

The event covers the historic first MLB matchup between Yusei Kikuchi and Shohei Ohtani. It highlights Ohtani's performance after returning to playing following Tommy John surgery, and the Angels' performance in their first couple of months.

The event provides an update on Ohtani's performance since coming back in early May, including hitting for the cycle and other achievements. It also discusses the tragic passing of Angels pitcher, Tyler Skaggs, and his impact on the team and Ohtani's transition to the U.S.

Recap of Shohei Ohtani's sophomore season in 2019 as a one-way player for the Angels. The episode also covers the Angels' overall season and the firing of manager Brad Ausmus.

Shohei Ohtani is returning as a two-way player for the Angels in the 2020 season after recovering from left knee surgery and Tommy John surgery. The hosts discuss what this season might be like for him and the impact of the Angels' new manager and signing of a superstar third baseman.

The 2020 season was disappointing for Ohtani as he struggled both in hitting and pitching, and the Angels failed to make the playoffs.

Shohei Ohtani had a successful start as a two-way player on the mound and at the plate in the 2021 season, impressing fans and even changing the minds of doubters and haters.

Shohei Ohtani has taken the start of the 2021 baseball season by storm with exceptional pitching on the mound and hitting at the plate, showcasing the window of Shotime that fans have been waiting for since he came to the MLB in 2018.

Shohei Ohtani participated in the Home Run derby and the next day was the leadoff hitter and starting pitcher in the All-Star game, becoming the center of attention and the overall star of the season.

Despite a quieter second half of the season, Shohei Ohtani maintained his impressive two-way play, positioning himself for the MVP award. Kev and Jack review Ohtani's performance for the year and highlight the bright and dark spots of the Angels' season.

Shohei Ohtani is awarded the unanimous 2021 Most Valuable Player in baseball, becoming the first player to achieve this since Mike Trout almost a decade ago. Jack and Kev share their immediate reactions to the MVP announcement and discuss some offseason news.

Ohtani had a slow start but continued to heat up as summer came. His dominant pitching, streaky batting, and record-breaking achievements are discussed. The Angels' season struggles are also highlighted, including a 14-game losing streak and the firing of Joe Maddon.

Shohei Ohtani was falsely accused of being involved in a betting scandal when his representative Mizuhara made a statement to ESPN. Ohtani denied the allegations and even paid off a debt of at least $4.5 million for Mizuhara.

Shohei Ohtani led Japan to victory in the World Baseball Classic, defeating Team USA and earning the MVP award for his outstanding performance.

Shohei Ohtani was announced to have a UCL tear in his elbow, preventing him from pitching for the rest of the season. Depending on whether he undergoes Tommy John surgery again, it could also keep him from throwing next year. This raises questions about his on-the-field play, upcoming free agency, and the contract he'll be signing.

Shohei Ohtani's season came to an end after being shut down from pitching and undergoing elbow repair surgery. The decision was made for him to focus on healing, marking the end of his contract with the Angels.

Shohei Ohtani earned his second unanimous MVP award win after his performance in 2023. A documentary titled “Shohei Ohtani: Beyond The Dream” was released, showcasing his journey from Japan to the U.S. and his unique vision. This MVP win and the documentary have significant impacts on the future discussion about Ohtani.

On December 8, 2023, the baseball world witnessed a day of chaos and excitement as rumors swirled around Shohei Ohtani's free agency decision. The day was filled with conflicting reports, flight tracking, and wild speculations, captivating the attention of fans on both sides of the Canadian border.

Shohei Ohtani signed a record-breaking $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers for 10 years. The deal includes $680 million being deferred until after the contract finishes, with Ohtani making $2 million per year for the next 10 years. However, for the Dodgers’ luxury tax purposes, Ohtani will still be measured against as $46 million per year based on MLB’s system, making him the highest value player in the league and taking up a significant portion of the team payroll.

The contract details of Shohei Ohtani have sparked debate and discussion, indicating the significance of his presence in Major League Baseball (MLB).

On March 19, 2024, Ohtani made Mizuhara available for a 90-minute interview with ESPN in an attempt to clarify the situation surrounding the gambling allegations. This interview shed light on the complexities of their relationship and the events that transpired.

On March 20, 2024, following the release of reports on the gambling allegations, Mizuhara was fired. This event marked a significant shift in the dynamics of Ohtani's career and public perception, leading to further scrutiny and media attention.

A bombshell report revealed that Shohei Ohtani's interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, is accused of stealing large sums of money from Ohtani to settle a gambling debt. The fallout from this accusation is expected to have significant implications.