Major League Baseball had more than a few great Japanese-born players over the years. However, Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani once again showed that he is the best of the bunch.

During Sunday’s 10-0 win over the New York Mets, Ohtani hit his 176th career homer, marking the record for most home runs in MLB by a Japanese-born player. He eclipsed former New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui, who notched 175 homers during his 10 years in the league.

Ohtani previously tied Matsui on April 13th but needed seven more games before taking sole possession of the record.

“I’m relieved and happy,” Ohtani said through an interpreter about the feat. “I took a while to get this point since my last homer, so just honestly, happy, relieved.”

Ohtani spent the first six years of his MLB career with the Los Angeles Angels before signing with the Dodgers on a record 10-year, $700 million deal this offseason. Throughout the first 24 games of the 2024 campaign, Ohtani is batting career-high .368 and has five homers with 13 RBIs.

Unlike previous seasons, when he served as a designated hitter and pitcher, Ohtani is focusing only on batting this year. He underwent elbow surgery during the offseason and isn’t expected to return to mount until 2025.

The post Shohei Ohtani Sets the Record for Most Home Runs in MLB by Japanese-Born Player appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani has finally decided on his next MLB team. The two-time unanimous NL MVP has agreed to a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The deal Ohtani signs represents the richest in MLB history. It shatters the previous record of $426.5 million in guaranteed money that Mike Trout received from the Los Angeles Angels in 2019 and the record for the highest annual average of $43.3 million that Max Scherzer got on his three-year deal with the New York Mets in 2022.

Dodgers still haven’t officially announced the news, but Ohtani confirmed the move in an Instagram post shared on Saturday.

“To all the fans and everyone involved in the baseball world, I apologize for taking so long to come to a decision. I have decided to choose the Dodgers as my next team,” Ohtani wrote in a caption while posting a photo of the Dodgers’ logo.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shohei Ohtani | 大谷翔平 (@shoheiohtani)

Shohei Ohtani is coming off a season in which he batted .304, which is his career-best in MLB while hitting 44 homers and adding 95 RBIs. He also had a 10-5 record and posted a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts as a pitcher. He was unanimously voted NL MVP, becoming the first player in MLB history to receive the MVP honor in that manner twice.

Ohtani’s 2023 season on the mound ended prematurely as he was forced to be shut down due to a right elbow injury. He underwent a Tommy John surgery, his second on the same elbow, in September and will not be ready to return to pitching until 2025. However, he is expected to be able to serve as the designated hitter from the Opening Day of the 2024 campaign.

While Ohtani was predicted to be the first $500 million player in MLB history, most analysts believe that teams will vary in signing him to such a significant deal due to his elbow surgery. But that obviously didn’t stop the Dodgers from surpassing even the most outrageous predictions and completely resetting the market for free agents.

Ohtani spent his first six seasons in MLB with the Los Angeles Angels. The 29-year-old player reportedly considered a return to the Angels but was won over by the Dodgers’ huge offer and their ability to consistently make the postseason, something he has never experienced so far in his career in the majors.

The post Shohei Ohtani Agrees to a 10-Year, $700 Million Contract With LA Dodgers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Los Angeles Angels left-handed hitter Shohei Ohtani has been named the MLB’s best-designated hitter for a third consecutive season. He joins David Ortiz as the only two players to win the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award three times in a row.

Ohtani hit .304 with an AL-high 44 homers, 96 RBIs, eight triples, and 20 stolen bases, all while ending his season early on September 3 due to suffering an oblique injury. He tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on August 23, at which point he was 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts, striking out 167 and walking 55 in 132 innings.

The Japanese DH beat the likes of Atlanta’s Marcell Ozuna, Houston’s Yordan Alvarez, Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper, and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez, winning by way of voting by broadcasters, writers, and public relations departments. Beyond his DH award, Ohtani was also the first player to become a two-time unanimous MVP, winning in 2021 and this year. He became a free agent after the World Series.

The post Shohei Ohtani Named MLB’s Top DH for Third Straight Year appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Los Angeles Angels slim chances of making the playoffs this season have become even slimmer. Their two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani is dealing with an elbow injury and won’t pitch again in 2023.

Ohtani made his last start on Wednesday when he was forced to exit the game against the Cincinnati Reds after throwing just 26 pitches. He underwent an MRI later that day, and the test revealed an ulnar collateral ligament tear in his right elbow.

Ohtani is expected to seek further opinions on his injury before deciding on his next step. There is a possibility he’ll need a Tommy John surgery, which would be his second since coming to MLB. The former AL MVP underwent the same procedure in 2018 and returned to pitching in 2020 while playing as a designated hitter in the meantime.

“As far as plans and details, I don’t have those yet,” said general manager Perry Minasian at a press conference. “I’ve been in contact with his representation. Obviously he hit the second game. He’s played with this, in ’18, but with that being said we’ll take it day by day and see where it goes. Obviously disappointing news. I feel terrible for him. But it is what it is. If anybody can bounce back, it’s him.”

The injury comes at a crucial period in Shohei Ohtani’s career as he will become a free agent at the end of the season. The Angels decided against trading him in hopes of signing him to a long-term extension but will likely face tough competition. Ohtani is not only expected to receive the most lucrative contract in baseball history but also wants to play for a winning organization, something that the Angels haven’t been for a long time.

The post Angels’ Shohei Ohtani Won’t Pitch Again in 2023 appeared first on SportzBonanza.

A significant number of MLB teams are preparing for the moment when the Los Angeles Angels start taking trade calls for their two-way star Shohei Ohtani. But if we are to judge by comments recently made by Angels’ general manager Perry Minasian, that moment is not coming.

Ohtani, one of the best players in baseball in recent years, is currently in the final year of his contract. He refused extension offers from the Angels in the past and wants to see what the free agency will look like. This means that LA will face tough competition to re-sign Ohtani and might lose him for just a compensatory pick.

This situation made most of MLB think that the Angels would move Ohtani before the trade deadline in order to get at least something for their star player. However, when asked about it earlier this week, Minasian strongly implied this isn’t an option, especially with the team playing well this season.

“I think anybody that’s watched us play and where we’re at in the standings … I think it’s pretty self-explanatory with where we’re at,” Minasian told the reporters.

The Angels find themselves in an unfamiliar place, having a winning record (41-35) with almost half a season gone and sitting in second place in AL West. The team hasn’t made the playoffs in the past eight-year.

 Ohtani’s made a big contribution to the Angels’ good start of the season, batting .295 with 24 home runs and 58 RBIs. He is also doing great on the mound, having a 6-2 record as a starter with a 3.29 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 14 games.

The post Angels Won’t Move Star Shohei Ohtani According to GM Perry Minasian appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Forbes reported on Monday that Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is set to earn $65 million for the 2023 season; a new MLB all-time record. This income, which includes endorsements as well as the one-year, $30 million contract extension signed in October, is set to be the biggest in the history of baseball at large.

Ohtani is expected to earn $35 million from endorsements, up from $20 million in 2022 and $6 million in 2021. Forbes showed a substantial gap between Ohtani’s endorsement earnings and those of his peers. Second on the list was Yankees slugger and 2022 American League MVP Aaron Judge, with $4.5 million in endorsements, followed by Ohtani’s teammate, three-time AL MVP Mike Trout with $4 million in endorsements.

Set to become a free agent at the end of this season, Ohtani is also expected to land one of the most expensive contracts in baseball history. He most recently helped Japan to lift the World Baseball Classic title last week.

The post Shohei Ohtani Set to Make Record $65 Million in 2023 appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Los Angeles Angels and their two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani have agreed to a contract for the 2023 MLB season. The franchise announced over the weekend that the two parties settled on a one-year, $30 million contract and avoided arbitration.

2023 will be Ohtani’s final year of arbitration eligibility, after which he will become a free agent. The $30 million salary he will receive next season is the highest ever for an arbitration-eligible player. The 28-year-old is earning $5.5 million this year.

While the Angels had another disappointing season in 2022, Shohei Ohtani continued to produce at a high level. He currently has a 15-8 record with 2.35 ERA and 213 strikeouts as a pitcher while batting .276 with 34 home runs and 94 RBIs.

Thanks to these spectacular numbers, Ohtani is favored to repeat as AL MVP. If he manages to get the award, he will become only the 14th player in league history to win back-to-back Most Valuable Player honors.

It is unclear what the future holds for the Los Angeles Angels and Shohei Ohtani. While the Angels would probably hand out a blank check to Ohtani in order to keep him around, the player said on previous occasions that the chance to win would play an important role in his free agency.

Ohtani didn’t do much winning with the Angels since he arrived in town in 2018. During his five years with the franchise, the LA team never made the playoffs and never had a record above .500 at the end of the season.   

The post Shohei Ohtani and Angles Avoid Arbitration, Agree to $30 Million for 2023 appeared first on SportzBonanza.

With Shohei Ohtani performing at an MVP level again, you would think that the Los Angeles Angels aren’t even thinking about trading their two-way star player. And while that might have been the case in the past, it reportedly isn’t anymore.

According to multiple reports, the Angels are entertaining the idea of trading Ohtani for the first time since the Japanese phenom joined the franchise. This is mostly due to the fact that the 28-year-old player will be out of contract after the 2023 season and hasn’t shown urgency to agree to an extension so far.

The trade rumors have reached Ohtani as well, but the player is currently trying to play them down. When asked about his future and the possibility of being traded, Ohtani said that he is the Angels ‘player at the moment and that this is the only thing he’s focused on. 

“Regardless of where I’m playing, I’m going to give it my all and try to win that ballgame in front of me,” Ohtani said via a translator. “I’m with the Angels right now, and I’m very thankful for what they’ve done. I love my team and my teammates. Right now, I’m an Angel, and that’s all I can focus on.”

The Angels have been less convinced about their chances of keeping Shohei Ohtani for the foreseeable future with each playoff they have missed during his stint with the franchise. Ohtani had made it clear that he wanted to win when he came to the U.S., and so far, he had completed his part of the bargain. The Angels, on the other hand, have not, and Ohtani still hasn’t experienced MLB postseason baseball in his career.

The post Shohei Ohtani on His Future: “I’m With the Angels Right Now” appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Unlike his Los Angeles Angels, the two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is playing better as the 2022 MLB season progresses. Making an appearance on the mound as a starting pitcher in a 5-0 win over the Kansas City Royals, Ohtani retired 13 batters to post a career-high mark in strikeouts in a single game.

Ohtani pitched through the eighth inning, finishing the night with 108 pitches. He also served as the team’s designated hitter on the night.

“He just put us on his back,” the Angels interim manager Phil Nevin told reporters after the game. “It was just impressive. I thought about taking him out after the seventh, but he was adamant, ‘This is mine.’ What a day, what a performance by him.”

Impressively, Ohtani’s strikeout fest came after he had a career performance as a batter in an 11-12 loss to Kansas City on Tuesday night. The 27-year-old hit two home runs while having a career-high eight RBIs. He is the first player in history to have eight RBIs as a hitter one night and then have at least 10 strikeouts as a pitcher the following night.

Ohtani, who won the AL MVP honors last season, is batting .260 and has 15 homers and 45 RBIs in 2022. He also made 12 starts as a pitcher, going 6-4 with a 2.90 ERA and 90 strikeouts.

The post Angels’ Shohei Ohtani Strikes Out 13 to Post a Career-High appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Los Angeles Angels two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani has received a rare honor for his historic 2021 MLB season. Ohtani was named the recipient of the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award, which has been handed out just 15 times before.

The award was incepted in 1998 to “recognize the accomplishments and contributions of historical significance to the game.”

Ohtani’s accomplishments this season were definitely of historical significance as he delivered a season that wasn’t seen in baseball since legendary Babe Ruth and the early 1900s. Playing as a pitcher, the 27-year-old made 23 starts and posted a 9-2 record with a 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts. At the same time, he served as the team’s designated hitter and had a .257 batting average with 46 home runs and 100 RBIs.

Despite doing all this, Ohtani told the media during the ceremony that he doesn’t know whether he deserves the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award. For MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, on the other hand, there was no doubt.

“He deserves it,” Manfred added after Ohtani’s comments. “I’m pretty sure about that!”

Shohei Ohtani previously became the first player in the history of the MLB All-Star Game to both serve as the starting pitcher and hitter. He is also expected to pick up the NL MVP award for 2021.

The post Shohei Ohtani Honored with Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Major League Baseball had more than a few great Japanese-born players over the years. However, Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani once again showed that he is the best of the bunch.

During Sunday’s 10-0 win over the New York Mets, Ohtani hit his 176th career homer, marking the record for most home runs in MLB by a Japanese-born player. He eclipsed former New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui, who notched 175 homers during his 10 years in the league.

Ohtani previously tied Matsui on April 13th but needed seven more games before taking sole possession of the record.

“I’m relieved and happy,” Ohtani said through an interpreter about the feat. “I took a while to get this point since my last homer, so just honestly, happy, relieved.”

Ohtani spent the first six years of his MLB career with the Los Angeles Angels before signing with the Dodgers on a record 10-year, $700 million deal this offseason. Throughout the first 24 games of the 2024 campaign, Ohtani is batting career-high .368 and has five homers with 13 RBIs.

Unlike previous seasons, when he served as a designated hitter and pitcher, Ohtani is focusing only on batting this year. He underwent elbow surgery during the offseason and isn’t expected to return to mount until 2025.

The post Shohei Ohtani Sets the Record for Most Home Runs in MLB by Japanese-Born Player appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani has finally decided on his next MLB team. The two-time unanimous NL MVP has agreed to a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The deal Ohtani signs represents the richest in MLB history. It shatters the previous record of $426.5 million in guaranteed money that Mike Trout received from the Los Angeles Angels in 2019 and the record for the highest annual average of $43.3 million that Max Scherzer got on his three-year deal with the New York Mets in 2022.

Dodgers still haven’t officially announced the news, but Ohtani confirmed the move in an Instagram post shared on Saturday.

“To all the fans and everyone involved in the baseball world, I apologize for taking so long to come to a decision. I have decided to choose the Dodgers as my next team,” Ohtani wrote in a caption while posting a photo of the Dodgers’ logo.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shohei Ohtani | 大谷翔平 (@shoheiohtani)

Shohei Ohtani is coming off a season in which he batted .304, which is his career-best in MLB while hitting 44 homers and adding 95 RBIs. He also had a 10-5 record and posted a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts as a pitcher. He was unanimously voted NL MVP, becoming the first player in MLB history to receive the MVP honor in that manner twice.

Ohtani’s 2023 season on the mound ended prematurely as he was forced to be shut down due to a right elbow injury. He underwent a Tommy John surgery, his second on the same elbow, in September and will not be ready to return to pitching until 2025. However, he is expected to be able to serve as the designated hitter from the Opening Day of the 2024 campaign.

While Ohtani was predicted to be the first $500 million player in MLB history, most analysts believe that teams will vary in signing him to such a significant deal due to his elbow surgery. But that obviously didn’t stop the Dodgers from surpassing even the most outrageous predictions and completely resetting the market for free agents.

Ohtani spent his first six seasons in MLB with the Los Angeles Angels. The 29-year-old player reportedly considered a return to the Angels but was won over by the Dodgers’ huge offer and their ability to consistently make the postseason, something he has never experienced so far in his career in the majors.

The post Shohei Ohtani Agrees to a 10-Year, $700 Million Contract With LA Dodgers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Los Angeles Angels left-handed hitter Shohei Ohtani has been named the MLB’s best-designated hitter for a third consecutive season. He joins David Ortiz as the only two players to win the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award three times in a row.

Ohtani hit .304 with an AL-high 44 homers, 96 RBIs, eight triples, and 20 stolen bases, all while ending his season early on September 3 due to suffering an oblique injury. He tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on August 23, at which point he was 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts, striking out 167 and walking 55 in 132 innings.

The Japanese DH beat the likes of Atlanta’s Marcell Ozuna, Houston’s Yordan Alvarez, Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper, and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez, winning by way of voting by broadcasters, writers, and public relations departments. Beyond his DH award, Ohtani was also the first player to become a two-time unanimous MVP, winning in 2021 and this year. He became a free agent after the World Series.

The post Shohei Ohtani Named MLB’s Top DH for Third Straight Year appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Los Angeles Angels slim chances of making the playoffs this season have become even slimmer. Their two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani is dealing with an elbow injury and won’t pitch again in 2023.

Ohtani made his last start on Wednesday when he was forced to exit the game against the Cincinnati Reds after throwing just 26 pitches. He underwent an MRI later that day, and the test revealed an ulnar collateral ligament tear in his right elbow.

Ohtani is expected to seek further opinions on his injury before deciding on his next step. There is a possibility he’ll need a Tommy John surgery, which would be his second since coming to MLB. The former AL MVP underwent the same procedure in 2018 and returned to pitching in 2020 while playing as a designated hitter in the meantime.

“As far as plans and details, I don’t have those yet,” said general manager Perry Minasian at a press conference. “I’ve been in contact with his representation. Obviously he hit the second game. He’s played with this, in ’18, but with that being said we’ll take it day by day and see where it goes. Obviously disappointing news. I feel terrible for him. But it is what it is. If anybody can bounce back, it’s him.”

The injury comes at a crucial period in Shohei Ohtani’s career as he will become a free agent at the end of the season. The Angels decided against trading him in hopes of signing him to a long-term extension but will likely face tough competition. Ohtani is not only expected to receive the most lucrative contract in baseball history but also wants to play for a winning organization, something that the Angels haven’t been for a long time.

The post Angels’ Shohei Ohtani Won’t Pitch Again in 2023 appeared first on SportzBonanza.

A significant number of MLB teams are preparing for the moment when the Los Angeles Angels start taking trade calls for their two-way star Shohei Ohtani. But if we are to judge by comments recently made by Angels’ general manager Perry Minasian, that moment is not coming.

Ohtani, one of the best players in baseball in recent years, is currently in the final year of his contract. He refused extension offers from the Angels in the past and wants to see what the free agency will look like. This means that LA will face tough competition to re-sign Ohtani and might lose him for just a compensatory pick.

This situation made most of MLB think that the Angels would move Ohtani before the trade deadline in order to get at least something for their star player. However, when asked about it earlier this week, Minasian strongly implied this isn’t an option, especially with the team playing well this season.

“I think anybody that’s watched us play and where we’re at in the standings … I think it’s pretty self-explanatory with where we’re at,” Minasian told the reporters.

The Angels find themselves in an unfamiliar place, having a winning record (41-35) with almost half a season gone and sitting in second place in AL West. The team hasn’t made the playoffs in the past eight-year.

 Ohtani’s made a big contribution to the Angels’ good start of the season, batting .295 with 24 home runs and 58 RBIs. He is also doing great on the mound, having a 6-2 record as a starter with a 3.29 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 14 games.

The post Angels Won’t Move Star Shohei Ohtani According to GM Perry Minasian appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Forbes reported on Monday that Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is set to earn $65 million for the 2023 season; a new MLB all-time record. This income, which includes endorsements as well as the one-year, $30 million contract extension signed in October, is set to be the biggest in the history of baseball at large.

Ohtani is expected to earn $35 million from endorsements, up from $20 million in 2022 and $6 million in 2021. Forbes showed a substantial gap between Ohtani’s endorsement earnings and those of his peers. Second on the list was Yankees slugger and 2022 American League MVP Aaron Judge, with $4.5 million in endorsements, followed by Ohtani’s teammate, three-time AL MVP Mike Trout with $4 million in endorsements.

Set to become a free agent at the end of this season, Ohtani is also expected to land one of the most expensive contracts in baseball history. He most recently helped Japan to lift the World Baseball Classic title last week.

The post Shohei Ohtani Set to Make Record $65 Million in 2023 appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Los Angeles Angels and their two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani have agreed to a contract for the 2023 MLB season. The franchise announced over the weekend that the two parties settled on a one-year, $30 million contract and avoided arbitration.

2023 will be Ohtani’s final year of arbitration eligibility, after which he will become a free agent. The $30 million salary he will receive next season is the highest ever for an arbitration-eligible player. The 28-year-old is earning $5.5 million this year.

While the Angels had another disappointing season in 2022, Shohei Ohtani continued to produce at a high level. He currently has a 15-8 record with 2.35 ERA and 213 strikeouts as a pitcher while batting .276 with 34 home runs and 94 RBIs.

Thanks to these spectacular numbers, Ohtani is favored to repeat as AL MVP. If he manages to get the award, he will become only the 14th player in league history to win back-to-back Most Valuable Player honors.

It is unclear what the future holds for the Los Angeles Angels and Shohei Ohtani. While the Angels would probably hand out a blank check to Ohtani in order to keep him around, the player said on previous occasions that the chance to win would play an important role in his free agency.

Ohtani didn’t do much winning with the Angels since he arrived in town in 2018. During his five years with the franchise, the LA team never made the playoffs and never had a record above .500 at the end of the season.   

The post Shohei Ohtani and Angles Avoid Arbitration, Agree to $30 Million for 2023 appeared first on SportzBonanza.

With Shohei Ohtani performing at an MVP level again, you would think that the Los Angeles Angels aren’t even thinking about trading their two-way star player. And while that might have been the case in the past, it reportedly isn’t anymore.

According to multiple reports, the Angels are entertaining the idea of trading Ohtani for the first time since the Japanese phenom joined the franchise. This is mostly due to the fact that the 28-year-old player will be out of contract after the 2023 season and hasn’t shown urgency to agree to an extension so far.

The trade rumors have reached Ohtani as well, but the player is currently trying to play them down. When asked about his future and the possibility of being traded, Ohtani said that he is the Angels ‘player at the moment and that this is the only thing he’s focused on. 

“Regardless of where I’m playing, I’m going to give it my all and try to win that ballgame in front of me,” Ohtani said via a translator. “I’m with the Angels right now, and I’m very thankful for what they’ve done. I love my team and my teammates. Right now, I’m an Angel, and that’s all I can focus on.”

The Angels have been less convinced about their chances of keeping Shohei Ohtani for the foreseeable future with each playoff they have missed during his stint with the franchise. Ohtani had made it clear that he wanted to win when he came to the U.S., and so far, he had completed his part of the bargain. The Angels, on the other hand, have not, and Ohtani still hasn’t experienced MLB postseason baseball in his career.

The post Shohei Ohtani on His Future: “I’m With the Angels Right Now” appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Unlike his Los Angeles Angels, the two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is playing better as the 2022 MLB season progresses. Making an appearance on the mound as a starting pitcher in a 5-0 win over the Kansas City Royals, Ohtani retired 13 batters to post a career-high mark in strikeouts in a single game.

Ohtani pitched through the eighth inning, finishing the night with 108 pitches. He also served as the team’s designated hitter on the night.

“He just put us on his back,” the Angels interim manager Phil Nevin told reporters after the game. “It was just impressive. I thought about taking him out after the seventh, but he was adamant, ‘This is mine.’ What a day, what a performance by him.”

Impressively, Ohtani’s strikeout fest came after he had a career performance as a batter in an 11-12 loss to Kansas City on Tuesday night. The 27-year-old hit two home runs while having a career-high eight RBIs. He is the first player in history to have eight RBIs as a hitter one night and then have at least 10 strikeouts as a pitcher the following night.

Ohtani, who won the AL MVP honors last season, is batting .260 and has 15 homers and 45 RBIs in 2022. He also made 12 starts as a pitcher, going 6-4 with a 2.90 ERA and 90 strikeouts.

The post Angels’ Shohei Ohtani Strikes Out 13 to Post a Career-High appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Los Angeles Angels two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani has received a rare honor for his historic 2021 MLB season. Ohtani was named the recipient of the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award, which has been handed out just 15 times before.

The award was incepted in 1998 to “recognize the accomplishments and contributions of historical significance to the game.”

Ohtani’s accomplishments this season were definitely of historical significance as he delivered a season that wasn’t seen in baseball since legendary Babe Ruth and the early 1900s. Playing as a pitcher, the 27-year-old made 23 starts and posted a 9-2 record with a 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts. At the same time, he served as the team’s designated hitter and had a .257 batting average with 46 home runs and 100 RBIs.

Despite doing all this, Ohtani told the media during the ceremony that he doesn’t know whether he deserves the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award. For MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, on the other hand, there was no doubt.

“He deserves it,” Manfred added after Ohtani’s comments. “I’m pretty sure about that!”

Shohei Ohtani previously became the first player in the history of the MLB All-Star Game to both serve as the starting pitcher and hitter. He is also expected to pick up the NL MVP award for 2021.

The post Shohei Ohtani Honored with Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award appeared first on SportzBonanza.