“Made Transition a Lot Easier”: Shohei Ohtani Thanks American Fans for Cheering Him On as a Two-Way MLB Player
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Looking back at the concluded 2021 MLB season, the one sensational player who stood out exceptionally was Shohei Ohtani. The Japanese star is a rare two-way player and has deservingly clinched his American League MVP crown.
Interestingly, Ohtani was given the honor unanimously. Despite his team failing to reach the post-season, Ohtani has marked his place on the top.
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Ohtani delighted by his MVP glory
The sorrow and sadness of missing out on the post-season must have reduced, as Ohtani clinched the AL MVP award, proving he is worthy of being on the top. However, as smooth as Ohtani’s 2021 ride looked, he has suffered a lot of setbacks and criticism, reaching this point in his career.
In his post-victory interview, Ohtani revealed the MVP award was always on his mind. However, more than the award, he is more thankful to the American audience and authorities for accepting him as a two-way player.
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Ohtani said, ” MVP was something I was shooting for, obviously. I think any player is as long as they are playing baseball professionally. But I was more appreciative of the fact that the American fans, the just the whole the USA baseball was more accepting and welcoming to the whole two-way idea, compared to when I started in Japan, so it made the transition a lot easier for me so I’m very thankful for that.”
"MVP is something I was shooting for"
Shohei Ohtani was extremely happy after being named the unanimous AL MVP winner. pic.twitter.com/AyKnKBacQH
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 19, 2021
In the last four years of his career, Ohtani has been patient and determined, despite the hurdles in his way.
Shohei Ohtani overcame past setbacks to become the unbeatable
Back in 2018, the Japanese player joined American baseball, starting a new career with the Los Angeles Angels. While he always had the talent of a rare two-way player, Ohtani suffered injury issues in his initial years.
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In 2018, June, he suffered a sprain on his ulnar collateral ligament. In September, the doctor advised him of a Tommy John surgery, forcing him to spend most of the next 15 months in rehab.
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via Getty
ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 20: Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) stares at his bat after swinging and missing during the MLB game between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on September 20, 2021 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Although he was playing on the offense, Ohtani couldn’t showcase his pitching skills because of the elbow injury. Everyone thought he would now limit himself to a hitter, but clearly, he was not done yet. In the 2021 season, Ohtani became the first-ever baseball player to clinch 30+ home runs and 30+ strikeouts in the same season.
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The 27-year-old’s journey is incredibly inspiring, as he just kept going, regardless of what life threw at him. Hopefully, in the 2022 season, the star, popularly known as ‘Shotime’, will finally get a taste of the post-season.
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