Shohei Ohtani is playing some genuinely phenomenal baseball this season. Despite the Los Angeles Angels’ terrible form, his two-way skills has put him firmly in the race for the AL MVP award. The team has won only 2 of their last ten games, with their playoff hopes quickly diminishing. Most recently, Ohtani was seen arriving in LA for a crucial series days after Stephen A. Smith’s controversial comments. 

In his outburst, Smith called the team irrelevant and said that fans don’t care about them. Seeing how the Angels are currently performing, that statement may prove true sooner rather than later. But despite all this, Ohtani is playing to the best of his abilities as his free agency looms. 

Shohei Ohtani arrives in LA moments hours before a blowout loss

Shohei Ohtani was pictured arriving in Los Angeles ahead of the Angels’ matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Twitter user MLB Life shared a picture of Ohtani’s arrival ahead of the game. In a Tweet, MLB Life said, “Shohei Ohtani arriving in Los Angeles for the Angels-Dodgers game today.” Fans reacted to the moment and showed that they care for the Angels, defying what Stephen A. Smith said earlier this week.

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Smith had trashed the team by saying, “The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, no one cares about you. No one, I don’t even know; I’ve been in LA quite often. I never hear anybody talking about the Angels. We love driving by the stadium; it looks really nice. No one cares; you’re irrelevant, period!”

The Dodgers dominated proceedings from the first inning in what turned out to be an 11-4 blowout loss for the Angels. It highlights an unfortunate week for the team, as their season seems to be on a downward spiral. But fans have defied what Smith said by showering Ohtani with positive reactions. Some fans even commented on his outfit.

Other fans called him a boss.

If the Angels fail to win additional games, Stephen A. Smith’s previous harsh remarks from earlier this week could potentially come to fruition. While there might be a small element of truth in his statement, it’s worth noting that one of his bold predictions in 2021 caused him some backlash.

Stephen A. Smith made some controversial comments on Ohtani in 2021

In July 2021, Stephen A. Smith’s comments on Shohei Ohtani created controversy. He questioned the marketability of a superstar like Ohtani, who required a translator to communicate. This created a heated debate as many criticized the sports personality and analyst for his take. He then made an apology video that fueled the fire. Things finally settled down as he offered a final concluding apology via Twitter.

Stephen A. Smith’s most recent statement is controversial but holds some truth. With this latest loss, the Los Angeles Angels are one step closer to missing the playoffs and losing Shohei Ohtani in free agency. What do you think about the team’s latest result? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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