He is a star in the sport of baseball, the flagship sport in the United States. The contract that Shohei Ohtani signed during the offseason for the Los Angeles Dodgers is clear proof of this: nearly 650 million euros over ten years, it is the most important in the history of his sport!
It must be said that the profile of the 29-year-old Japanese is very particular: pitcher… and batsman. A dual talent that is a rarity in modern baseball.
Special editions in Japanese newspapers upon signing
Shohei Ohtani is a phenomenon in the United States And he is also one at home, in Japan. The revelations of his new contract even gave rise to special editions in the “ gogai », special editions of newspapers, distributed free of charge in the streets. Fans even gathered in his hometown in front of his high school baseball field to celebrate his signing with his new franchise. “He is the pride of Japan,” one participant told Kyodo news agency. Enthusiasm has even spread to the Japanese financial markets. An Internet job agency (Dip Corporation), which chose Shohei Ohtani as ambassador, saw its stock jump 8.9% on the Tokyo Stock Exchange!
Shohei Ohtani started in the North American league in 2018 © AFP – Richard Brooks
Unanimously voted best player in the American League twice
His profile appeals to all American baseball fans. His transfer was followed like a real soap opera. It must also be said that he moved from one Los Angeles club to another. From the Angels where he was at the end of his contract, to the Dodgers.
Shohei Ohtani began playing in the North American Baseball League in 2018.
He was voted best player in the American League (one of the two leagues that make up the MLB) in 2021 and 2023, each time unanimously, which had not happened to any other player before him.
Entangled in a sports betting affair
Shohei Ohtani still has some concerns before the start of this season. Physical concerns, recurring elbow injuries currently prevent him from evolving as a pitcher. And extra-sporting concerns! For a week, the American press has been talking about problems with his interpreter who allegedly stole money from him to make sports bets, in agreement with the player, which the Japanese denies* “I have never bet on baseball or on another sport”* he declared. Ohtani even accuses his interpreter of having stolen it. But each of his appearances on the field and even off it remain an event and this 2024 season will be no exception to the rule!
2024-03-28 05:17:45
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