SPORTS Page 16 n THE ASIAN REPORTER December 18, 2017 Japanese pitcher-hitter Shohei Ohtani chooses the L.A. Angels By Greg Beacham AP Sports Writer A NAHEIM, Calif. — Shohei Ohtani has decided he’s on the side of the Angels. The Japanese two-way star announced he’s signing with the Los Angeles Angels, ending the sweepstakes surrounding his move to the majors in a surprising destination. Ohtani, who intends to be both a starting pitcher and an everyday power hitter, turned down interest from every other big-league club to join two-time MVP Mike Trout and slugger Albert Pujols with the Angels, who are coming off their second consecutive losing season and haven’t won a playoff game since 2009. The Angels’ combination of a promising core and a beautiful west coast location clearly appealed to the 23-year-old Ohtani, who has confounded baseball experts at almost every step of his move to North America as one of the most coveted free agents in years. Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, issued a statement announcing the decision after meeting with several finalists for his services. Balelo said the 2016 Japanese MVP “felt a true bond with the Angels. He sees this as the best environment to develop and reach the next level and attain his career goals.” After his unusual courtship, Ohtani will attempt to chart a unique career path as the majors’ first regular two-way player in several decades. Ohtani already has drawn numerous comparisons to Babe Ruth, who excelled as a hitter and a pitcher early in his Hall of Fame career. Ohtani is expected to be both a right-handed starting pitcher and a left-handed designated hitter for the Angels, who are expected to give him ample playing time in both roles. Many baseball observers have long assumed Ohtani would choose a higher-profile franchise such as the Yankees or Dodgers, who would have both welcomed him into their rotation and lineup. He received serious attention from Seattle and Texas, who both could have given him more money than the Angels. Ohtani listened to his suitors’ final pitches in Los Angeles before choosing the Angels, who play about 28 miles from downtown L.A. in laid-back Orange County. Most of the Angels live in coastal Newport Beach and enjoy a comfortable, warm-weather lifestyle with ample My Turn: Holiday viewing Continued from page 6 humor. Discounted tickets are often available. To learn more, visit . Finally, the one movie Richard and I plan to see in the theater this holiday season is Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the second film in the newest Star Wars trilogy, and a movie that features the most diverse cast for the franchise. It’s also the last film featuring Carrie Fisher, who has played Princess Leia in the franchise since the original film in 1977. She acted in The Last Jedi before her untimely death last year. Richard and I vividly remember the original films, which we still con- sider nostalgically the best. And we will treat ourselves to a budget matinee after Christmas when hopefully there are fewer crowds. Whatever your holiday entertainment traditions may be, the important thing is to hang out with family regardless of the specific activity. I wish you and your loved ones a great holiday season and a happy new year! Think you’re an organ and tissue donor? Not if you haven’t told your family. Talk to your family about organ and tissue donation. Talk to your family about donating life. For a free donor card brochure, contact: Donate Life Northwest (503) 494-7888 1-800-452-1369 www.donatelifenw.org Spend what you earn on what you love. Not on ATMs. Switch to Banner Bank Connected Checking ® . Use any ATM in the country, and we’ll refund the fees. Switch today at bannerbank.com/connected-checking. No-Fee ATMs Mobile Banking with Snapshot Deposit ® No Monthly Service Charge Unlimited surcharge rebates from non-Banner-owned ATMs in the U.S. TWO-WAY THREAT. Baseball player Shohei Ohtani, from Japan, smiles during a news conference at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. Ohtani in- tends to be both a starting pitcher and an everyday power hitter for his new team. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) big-market media attention, but without the withering scrutiny of other top destinations. Yet Angels general manager Billy Eppler is very serious about winning, and he has spent several years scouting Ohtani, ever since his previous job with the Yankees. “We are honored Shohei Ohtani has decided to join the Angels organization,” the franchise said in a brief statement. “We felt a unique connectivity with him throughout the process and are excited he will become an Angel. This is a special time for Angels fans.” Ohtani has ample opportunity to fulfill his biggest ambitions with the Angels, who are in need of a top starting pitcher. They should also be able to fit him into their lineup when he isn’t pitching: Pujols has largely been a designated hitter for the past two seasons, but the three-time National League MVP is expected to be healthy enough to play first base more frequently in 2018. Ohtani’s new teammates greeted the news joyously. Left fielder Justin Upton Continued on page 4