Japanese-Born Shohei Ohtani Expressed His Ambitious Desire to Change the Way Americans Think Long Before His Anticipated MLB Debut: “Make Fans Kind of Accept..”

Becoming a Two-Way Phenom in MLB is challenging, and who knows it better than Shohei Ohtani? The two-way player term is familiar to the Americans, but the practical application was almost zero. After Babe Ruth, baseball has not seen a player good at pitching and hitting. But the Sho-time is determined.

After his establishment in Japan as a two-way player, Shohei Ohtani started the same struggle in the MLB world. It was a complicated journey, and the Angles’ star once candidly revealed his ambitions to change the long-possessed thoughts of the MLB audience.

Shohei Ohtani Revealed His Thoughts on US Audience

Being the current MLB sensation, the Two-Way Phenom has an immense fanbase. However, this journey was not easy. Though teams often have Designated Hitters who can pitch, they are not always up to the mark. So, things were much more challenging when the Japanese star set out to establish himself as a two-way player.

While appearing in an interview with Jon Paul Morosi in 2017, Sho-time revealed his thoughts on becoming a two-way player. The host asked him his thoughts on the possibilities of changing the thoughts of the Americans. The Japanese legend couldn’t communicate his thoughts directly because of his English skills.

However, what his translator revealed on his behalf includes, “Even what he’s done in Japan this past season, he is not actually sure if this is, he’s probably capable of putting up better numbers on both sides. But it’s not up to him to decide whether it’s successful or not that he made this decision.” 

This interview session was long before his MLB debut. So, the reaction of the audience was different from today’s. However, the rookie was not ready to give up. His translator further revealed, “It’s fans or analysts or people around him that says, “Oh, he made the right decision.” And if he could do the same in America and make fans kind of accept his success as a two-way player, then that is an inspiring thought.”

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After the retirement of Babe Ruth, the US baseball world got Shohei Ohtani. In between, no one ever shined as a two-way player. While position players can’t pitch, Pitchers are mostly poor hitters. So, it took a lot of work for the fans to believe a Japanese rookie player could balance both.

But the Los Angeles Angels’ 29-year-old proved them wrong. Within six years of his MLB career, he became one of the most valued players in the MLB world. Of course, fans are still worried about his pitching career after the UCL torn.

Will Shohei Ohtani Not Pitch in 2023?

2023 is a physically stressful year for Ohtani. His on-the-field play is getting impacted by the UCL tear that he sustained in late August, limiting his ability to pitch effectively. However, the agent confirmed that Ohtani won’t give up on anything.

“There’s not a question in his mind that he’s going to come back, and he’s going to continue to do both, like we have the last few years.” The Japanese star even planned to continue the ongoing season as a Designated Hitter.

How much do you think Shohei Ohtani succeeded in winning his audience? Share your opinions with us.

Watch the Story:  Shohei Ohtani’s Season Ends Abruptly Following Devastating Injury, Leaving Fans in Mourning