Shohei Ohtani has done it once again! Ever since his MLB debut in 2018, the Japanese sensation has not stopped to take a breather. Instead, every time he steps out to the field, the two-way phenom leaves everyone watching, filled with adrenaline and excited energy. What extraordinary play is he going to perform next? And the surprising (or maybe not) thing is, the Angels star does it all casually like it barely takes any effort!
For Sho-time, it probably doesn’t. As teams gear up for World Baseball Classic, Ohtani is preparing to represent team Japan. Something the two-way player hasn’t done since he was 21 years old. WBC is coming back after a long gap – the last game was held in 2017. The 2021 game got postponed because of the pandemic, but fans can finally see their favorite players compete in a new situation. And Ohtani certainly plans to make up for the lost time by giving it his all.
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Shohei Ohtani drops to one knee before slamming a home run in Japan
A veteran of Nippon Professional Baseball, Ohtani once again put on the iconic white pinstriped uniform of Samurai Japan. The actual WBC begins on March 8th but Ohtani didn’t disappoint even in an exhibition game against the Hanshin Tigers. Facing pitcher Hiroto Saiki in the third inning, Sho-time took a knee to blast a home run at 420 feet.
Shohei Ohtani dropped to one knee and hit a ball 420 feet pic.twitter.com/pONg5XA80Q
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 6, 2023
The Kyocera Dome in Osaka was alive with the roaring of crowds as Ohtani went around high-fiving all his teammates. The two-way prodigy later commented, “As my physical condition isn’t 100% because of jetlag, I feel a bit worried about missing a pitch over the plate. Still, I was able to get a good swing on a split.”
Well, if this is him jet lagged, god spares whoever he faces off against when he’s feeling his best. Because not even two innings later, the 28-year-old went through with yet another three-run blast.
Ohtani fans are absolutely delighted to see him perform well with his home team
A warm-up to the real game. That’s all this game was supposed to be. And yet, Ohtani showed everyone how serious he is about any game thrown his way. Or maybe he’s just that talented. Fans certainly think so.
My dude is back home relaxed with the homies legit just fooling around 😭😭 and somehow people don’t like this tournament. I can’t wait for Saturday baby let’s gooo
— José🚥MCMXCVII (@josefuturejeter) March 6, 2023
How can you not love this dude? 2HR plus seemed like he might have dedicated the first one for his coach?
— Husselii (@Husboots) March 6, 2023
@Reiman_Reason I am convinced this man was built in a lab to defend Tokyo from some giant lizard but it never came so they just had him play baseball instead
— Sean Pearsall (@sean_pearsall) March 6, 2023
In the church of baseball we knee to pray for balls that get gone
— Flyover Sports (@SportsFlyover) March 6, 2023
Japanese announcers are up there for most entertaining and hyping up tv audiences
— Renzo (@MRenzo90) March 6, 2023
Adrian Beltre Vibes pic.twitter.com/HLy5ZQ8Lzc
— TONY (@LAtony213) March 6, 2023
Can we watch every game in Japanese
— 𝗝𝗼𝗻 (@TxAustrian) March 6, 2023
Many were quick to draw a comparison to former Red Sox legend Adrián Beltré, who also took a knee a few times in his pro career. Some fans were, however, more entertained by the Japanese announcer’s enthusiasm because it was infectious!
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Written by
Edited by
Abhishek Kumar