High School Rival Leaves Shohei Ohtani Tasting Dust After the Baltimore Orioles Clinch Playoffs

The recent events have left?Shohei Ohtani with a bitter taste. After six years and a tremendous performance with the Los Angeles Angels, the two-way phenomenon has yet to taste postseason success. On the other hand, a fellow Japanese pitcher’s fortunes have turned. What used to be the Oakland A’s white and green jersey is now the Baltimore Orioles’ oranges. Shintaro Fujinami, Shotime’s high school rival, couldn’t be luckier.

After almost ten years with NPB’s Hanshin Tigers, the 29-year-old is in his first year in Major League Baseball. Although his performance with the Athletics was lacking, the O’s hoped to improve. While Fujinami is still adjusting, the pitcher is miles ahead of his Angels senpai.

What Shohei Ohtani Couldn’t, Shintaro Fujinami Has Accomplished

If there is one matter that the entire baseball fanbase agrees on, it’s that Shohei Ohtani deserves better. While the two-way sensation has given a wonderful performance in the last three years, the Angels are still exactly as they’ve always been. No postseason and not even a winning record to end the season. On the other hand, the Baltimore Orioles have made history this year.

Underdogs that have emerged as surprising AL East winners, the O’s are now eligible for the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Their roster includes, of course, MLB rookie Shintaro Fujinami. A player who was incidentally considered Shotime’s rival in high school, though while Ohtani has heated up significantly, the rookie’s engines have cooled.

A comparison between Ohtani and Fujinami is warranted because of how the fates have turned. With the Oakland A’s, it’s unlikely that the pitcher would have seen any success, at least not this year. But with O’s, it’s a complete reversal of fortunes, right in his first year.

READ MORE -?Shohei Ohtani Angels Exit All but Confirmed as Two-Way Phenom Aims for Championship Aspirations Amidst Career-Long Playoff Drought

Ohtani, on the other hand, has been stuck in Los Angeles for the last six and no luck. How infuriating must it be to have lost out to a rival in this unfair manner?

Baltimore Tried to Trade for Ohtani

Just to think, instead of deep reds, it could have been sunset oranges on Ohtani’s back right now. The Angels, in another one of their asinine decisions, did not trade Ohtani. The O’s had shown some interest, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, because really, who wouldn’t want his two-way talent?

But the Halos declined a trade, further condemning themselves, because once again they haven’t made it to October. Shohei Ohtani will most likely choose a different team in his upcoming free agency. At least it might be better than to have to play with one’s high school rival.

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