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 <www.
pcs.org/current-season/tick
et-specials>.
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!
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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