[The Epoch Times, December 11, 2023]MLB Japanese star Shohei Ohtani announced on the 10th that he will join the Los Angeles Dodgers. According to Japanese media analysis, Dodge’s outstanding performance, environment, and complete team may be the reasons that attracted Ohtani.
Shohei Ohtani announced on the 10th that he had agreed to a 10-year US$700 million (approximately NT$22 billion) contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The official website of Major League Baseball pointed out that this is the largest contract in the history of global sports.
“Nihon Sports News” reported that for Ohtani Shohei, who is aiming for the World Series championship, he decided to put on the Dodgers jersey for five major reasons.
The primary reason is that the Dodgers are a winning team. Ohtani played for the Los Angeles Angels for 6 years and was selected as the American League Most Valuable Player (MVP) twice, but failed to advance to the playoffs. Ohtani once said in 2021 that “I want to spend the exciting September”, and after Japan won the World Baseball Classic (WBC) this year, he said: “The playoffs and the World Series are the goals for the next stage.”
The Dodgers won the World Series for the seventh time in 2020 and have made the playoffs for 11 consecutive years since 2013, with impressive results.
The second reason is that Ohtani can continue to play in a familiar environment. The drive from the Dodgers to the home of the Angels is only 40 minutes. The training locations of both teams are also located in Arizona. The climate in the southern part of the West Coast of the United States is relatively warm, and football games are almost never canceled due to rain.
The third reason is that the Dodgers’ team helped Ohtani recover from his right elbow injury.
Ohtani underwent Tommy John (Tommy John) elbow ligament reconstruction surgery in 2018 and September this year, both performed by Neal ElAttrache, a famous sports doctor who is currently the Dodgers team doctor.
The fourth reason is the Dodgers’ designated hitting position.
The Dodgers’ designated hitter, J.D. Martinez, hit 33 homers this season, but his contract was not renewed, leaving the Dodgers’ designated hitter position vacant. This can be said to be reserved for Ohtani, who will focus on hitting next season. Ohtani will establish a strong offensive line with the Dodgers’ two MVPs, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
The fifth reason is “Dodge’s love for Ohtani.” The Dodgers have been actively paying attention to Ohtani since he was in high school and were the first team to visit Ohtani when he was preparing to enter professional baseball in September 2012. When Ohtani moved to Major League Baseball in 2017, the Dodgers were one of the seven teams that Ohtani finally negotiated with.
One of Ohtani’s goals at the time was to “win the World Series with the Dodgers in 2020.”
(Chuosha)
Editor in charge: Chen An
2023-12-11 10:31:51
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