Town of Los Angeles is formally recognizing Might 17 as “Shohei Ohtani Day.” The Dodgers made the announcement on social media on Friday.
Ohtani was at Los Angeles Metropolis Corridor on Friday to obtain the popularity. Additionally pictured are Dodgers CEO Stan Kasten and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman.
“Thanks very a lot to the L.A. Metropolis Council,” Ohtani mentioned. “I recognize you recognizing me on this present day. I wish to thank the Dodger group as properly and all of the followers.”
“I actually wish to thank and rejoice the Dodger group,” Los Angeles Metropolis Councilmember Monica Rodriguez mentioned on Friday. “From Jackie Robinson to Fernando Valenzuela to Shohei Ohtani, you proceed to ensure that the Dodger group has a spot for each baby in Los Angles to see themselves as a way forward for Los Angeles and a way forward for sports activities. So, Shohei, I simply wish to say thanks a lot for becoming a member of us right here as we speak. For serving to us acknowledge what an incredible legacy the Dodger group has continued to be in Los Angeles, however extra importantly, what you deliver to Los Angeles. Thanks for gifting your expertise right here within the Metropolis of Angels. Welcome to L.A.”
Ohtani, 29, signed a 10-year, $700 million with the Dodgers this offseason. The Japan native has lived as much as his contract so far, slashing .360/.430/.669 with 12 residence runs, 30 RBIs, 16 doubles, and 11 stolen bases in 44 video games. His 1.099 OPS leads all of Main League Baseball.
Ohtani, who spent the primary six years of his profession with the Los Angeles Angels, is a two-time unanimous American League MVP winner. He’s a three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and received the AL residence run title in 2023 after hitting 44 longballs in simply 135 video games.
Ohtani’s free company was one of many largest spectacles in MLB historical past, and in the long run, he landed in Los Angeles with the biggest contract in North American sports activities historical past. Since his arrival, the already standard Dodgers have seen their model skyrocket.
Ohtani’s introductory press convention drew a whopping 70 million viewers, which was greater than each sport of the 2023 World Sequence mixed. His jerseys flew off the cabinets in file time, and most just lately on Thursday, his bobblehead giveaway drew the biggest common season crowd within the final 5 years.
Ohtani is a expertise that transcends the game of baseball, and he’s single-handedly made the game — and his crew — extra standard.
Now, in his first few months as a Dodger, he’s already been given a day to acknowledge his unimaginable expertise and impression on the game of baseball and the town of Los Angeles.
Congrats to Ohtani on this unimaginable accomplishment. And comfortable Shohei Ohtani day to everybody in Los Angeles!
Photograph Credit score: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports activities