Shohei Ohtani Day: Dodgers Star Joins Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant As Only Two Athletes to Receive Significant Honor

Los Angeles’ love affair with Shohei Ohtani has taken another step. It’s been known since the day Shotime stepped foot in the US that he holds the City of Angels in a special place. Not only is it a short flight home to Japan but he’s created a perfect life for himself in California. His love for this place was one of the chief reasons why he chose the Los Angeles Dodgers. And now the city has repaid Ohtani with a massive gift. 

Los Angeles is used to celebrating sporting glory. After all August 24 happens to be Kobe Bryant Day. However, in an exciting announcement, the LA City Council has just declared “Shohei Ohtani Day” and it’s on May 17. So now, at least till the time he’s in LA, the two-way phenom has a day of his own in the city. 

“Thank you very much to the LA City Council,” Ohtani said after receiving the honor. “I appreciate you recognizing me on this day. I want to thank the Dodger organization as well and all the fans.” The naturally humble star didn’t have many words to say on this momentous occasion. However, the city council and members of the Dodgers organization had nothing but praise for the “Greatest baseball player in America.” 

Part of the reason for his great recognition for the high impact Ohtani’s had on the city’s Japanese diaspora. The council honored Ohtani for his achievements and “historic impact as an Angeleno of Japanese descent.” This marks another occasion for the City of Angels to show its unending love for Ohtani. Just two days ago, more than 53,000 people showed up at Dodger Stadium to attend his bobblehead night.

However, while this day was already special, Shohei Ohtani found a way to make it even more memorable. How did it do that? Is it even a question? of course by dominating the field!

Shohei Ohtani gives fans a reason to celebrate 

The two-way phenom was uncharacteristically silent during his bobblehead night. However, on May 17 he returned with an explosive temperament. Ohtani gave the fans a chance to celebrate his day by hitting a massive opposite-field two-run homer. That’s quite a statement to make on the day everyone will now be calling yours.

The Los Angeles Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts couldn’t help but smile after seeing this. “He didn’t homer on his bobblehead day, so he was due to homer on some significant Ohtani day,” Roberts said (per MLB.com). “We’ll take the home run on Shohei Ohtani Day. That was a ball down at the knees. To hit it the other way, spin it really well, big hit. We just marvel at what he does.” 

“We all do,” perhaps that’s what every Ohtani fan would say to Roberts’ last sentence. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to remember the last time a player had such an impact on every fan’s imagination.