Earning “Best Baseball Player in the World” Title From Esteemed MLB Official, Shohei Ohtani Became America’s Desire Overnight

Shohei Ohtani is one of the most celebrated young baseball players. He achieved some of the most excellent MLB records since his debut in 2018. However, his first breakthrough was when he played for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters from 2013 through 2017. After the 2016 season, he suddenly got a title that changed his career.

Ohtani’s baseball performance used to attract the attention of different teams from the beginning. Even MLB Officials had their attention on him, one of whom went as far as labeling him the “best baseball player in the world,” which made him a baseball sensation overnight.

An MLB Officials Declaration Made Shohei Ohtani the Sensation on MLB Overnight

Ohtani’s dedication to his aim was strong from the beginning. Despite the competition in the MLB world, he was solely dedicated to his game. As a result, his dedication brought him to the notice of MLB officials. In his book Sho-Time: The Inside Story of Shohei Ohtani, Jeff Fletcher stated that it was a life-changing event for this Japanese baseball star. 

According to the author, while Ohtani played for his team in Japan in 2016, his performance brought him the title “Best Baseball Player in the World.” With this title, the Sho-time became the sensation of American baseball overnight.

Ohtani’s Performance was outstanding during that season; he hit 22 Home Runs in 104 games with 18 doubles and 67 RBI. With this stats, he became the Pacific League MVP and proved his worth as a potent baseball star.

On page number 36, the author recorded another veteran Japanese author, Kazushi Nagatsuka’s opinion about the designated hitter. He said, “I would say he’s easily the best player I’ve ever seen. Every time you watch Ohtani, he makes you think he might do something you have never seen.” He even refused to compare Ohtani with others as the Sho-time can do things no one else can. 

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Back in 2017, Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo of CAA Baseball announced that the young baseballer is joining Los Angeles Angels leaving behind his previous team. However, Ohtani never really cared for the fame and money he received. Rather he kept his focus right on MLB.

Shohei Ohtani Down-To-Earth Lifestyle With MLB in Focus

The Los Angeles Angels’ Designated Hitter was always a simple boy without any showoff. Players often shifted from their focus when fame and money came, but nothing ever distracted the 29-year-old baseball pitcher. The book also recorded the simple lifestyle of this legend. 

Jason Coskrey from the Japan Times, referring to the young baseballer, said, “He’s just as normal a kid as you can possibly be—humble, mild-mannered, down to earth, even-keeled.”

Since he was 16 years old, he has consistently progressed toward fame. With all the commercials and billboards having his face, his massive yearly income. However, the then-16-Year-Old used to live with the pocket money his mother provided him with. He even shared the team dormitory with newcomers.

With his growing fame, Shohei was mainly seen in the ballpark or inside the dormitory, minding his own business. His focus was his debut in MLB, which came true in 2018 after he joined the Los Angeles Angels.

Do you think Ohtani will appear in the World Series this year? Share your opinion with us in the comments.

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