Shohei Ohtani made his NPB debut in 2013. Within six years, Ohtani asked to be posted in the American Major League Baseball. With multiple suitors; Ohtani finally reached the Los Angeles Angels after they paid a $20 million bonus to the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. While the two-way wonder’s career started off slowly with injuries limiting his pitching; he’s not left any stone unturned after making a full-fledged and healthy comeback in 2021.
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Balanced against his comeback in full boom, Shohei Ohtani became the rightful suitor of the 2021 AL MVP award. However, before that, Ohtani made it to another significant list whose value is indispensable across the United States of America. He made the list alongside various desired personalities and, in effect, received applause from former Yankees champion, Alex Rodriguez.
What was A-Rod’s reaction to Ohtani making the Time Magazine’s top 100 list?
Notably, in September 2021, amidst a spectacular season, Shohei Ohtani found a place on Time Magazine’s list of 100 most influential people of 2021. He found a position in the “icon” section beside Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, President Joe Biden, business mogul Elon Musk, and popular rapper Lil Nas X. In addition to that, his appearance on the List earned him the well-wishes of Alex Rodriguez.
Congratulations to Shohei Ohtani for his recognition as one of the 100 most influential people of the year!#WeBelieve | #TIME100 pic.twitter.com/xo5Ty5W85Z
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) September 15, 2021
While composing praise after Ohtani’s significant achievement, former Yankees World Champion Alex Rodriguez said, “If you were to Frankenstein every unique talent into one player, you’d get Shohei Ohtani. He has the power of Bryce Harper, the pitching of Max Scherzer, and the speed of Trea Turner.”
Ohtani turned out to be only the second baseball player who appeared on Time Magazine’s list after Chien-Ming Wang in 2007.
Will Shohei Ohtani win two consecutive American League MVP Awards?
Moreover, the Time Magazine appearance turned out to be an additional motivation for Ohtani, who concluded 2021 with 46 home runs and 138 hits at 0.257. At the mound, Ohtani registered 156 strikeouts with 48 runs allowed at 3.18.
2022 turned out to be even better for Ohtani. He allowed only 45 runs through 219 strikeouts at a spectacularly improved ERA of 2.33. In the box, he smashed 34 home runs with 160 hits at 0.273.
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However, this year, Ohtani competes with Aaron Judge, who recently broke the maximum home run record in the American League by smashing his 62nd home run. While the Angels failed to make the postseason, the Yanks faced a humiliating defeat in the postseason with an underperforming Aaron Judge.
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Watch This Story – Pitchers’Nightmare Shohei Ohtani And Mike Trout Partnership Puts On A Home Run Blasting Show
Considering this all, who do you think will win the 2022 AL MVP Award? Let us know your choice in the comments below.