With Shohei Ohtani Unleashing His Two-Way Talent, LA Angels Were Forced to Break Their 60YO Tradition in 2021

The Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani is an exceptional talent in modern baseball world. Admired and loved by many, there is no shortage of support for the Japanese star, happening because of his performances, be it pitching or batting. Becoming the face of the Angels and the league, he has earned a common name of Two Way Phenom. But this was only the case once Angels made a change in 2021 that altered their 60-year-old history.

Given that when someone hears Ohtani, they see him as a two-edged sword. Back in 2021, Angles experimented with their baseball antics, bringing marvelous victory for the Japan-based star and his team. The book Sho-time: The Inside Story of Shohei Ohtani and the Greatest Baseball Season Ever Played has given a detailed picture of this story that has become a part of Angels and MLB history.

The Day When Shohei Ohtani Started His Journey of Two-Way Phenom

When a player plays as a designated hitter, the role is to go and swing for the major runs. In no way, the player will have some other role. But when it comes to special players, everything changes. The same is the story for the Angels’ star, Shohei Ohtani.

On page 147 Author, Jeff Fletcher describes this incident. It reads, “The Angels forfeited the use of the DH for the first time in their history when they had Ohtani pitching and hitting second for the April 4 game against the White Sox, which was the ESPN Sunday Night Baseball broadcast.”

Notably, it was a brilliant game for Ohtani as he shined both on the mound and at the plate. He pitched in 4 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts and five walks while reaching 100mph nine times. Becoming the first pitcher to bat second in a game since 1903, he smacked 451-foot home run for the Angels, clinching the 7-4 win over the White Sox.

The experiment was successful, becoming part of history. And since Ohtani has pitched and batted in many games, adding more to his two-way phenom tag. But will Ohtani be able to continue this legacy? The latest injury puts a doubt on it.

Ligament Tear Shortens Ohtani’s Pitching Tenure

Injuries are part of physical sports, but they are painful. Not only do they put a dent on the season, but sometimes, they bring careers to a close. Although the latter does not seem to be the case with Shohei Ohtani, repetitive injuries have put a dent in his role as a pitcher. It is visible in his recent troubles, which began with cramps and has turned into a ligament tear.

Read More:- Devastating Shohei Ohtani Injury Breeds $500M Free Agency Doubt as Fans Debate Elite List: “He’s Getting Tommy John”

Though, Ohtani is batting pretty well, when he is not pitching, it takes an element from him and draws a shadow over his title of Two-Way phenom. Given it is the second time in four years Ohtani has suffered a ligament tear, it brings the question: Is pitching behind all his struggles? And Should he stop pitching? Comment below your takes on the scenario.