Shohei Ohtani is easily the most unique superstar in all of professional sports.
The two-way Los Angeles Angels star can pitch like an ace and hit like a Hall of Famer all in the span of one game.
That means he is fighting through MLB’s efforts to not market its stars and has risen to an extreme level of fame in the span of a few years.
It is safe to say he is one of the faces of the game.
That is why it was a no-brainer for him to land on the latest cover of the MLB The Show video game franchise.
Congratulations to once-in-a-generation talent Shohei Ohtani on being the cover athlete for MLB The Show 22. Pre-order now at https://t.co/LCivWAsdi4#MLBTheShow #OwnTheShow pic.twitter.com/mmpIFBDrdn
— MLB The Show (@MLBTheShow) January 31, 2022
Any other choice would have been a shock and the MLB world is reacting to this news.
Love it.
The Show constantly improves every year and expanding the playerbase is never a bad idea.
Shohei Ohtani being on the cover is the perfect choice this year btw. https://t.co/48iQFtcclh
— Space Captain Zemo (@SpaceCptZemo) January 31, 2022
MLB World Reacts To Latest Ohtani News
One note constantly brought up is the factor of representation with this cover decision.
Ohtani is a prominent Asian athlete dominating the American sports landscape.
Just read that they unveiled the cover of MLBthe show 2022. Shohei Ohtani is the first Asian athlete to be on the cover of a United States game. Shout out to Ohtani.What an historic W on me❤🥳👐🙌
— Intro (@Introversion024) January 31, 2022
This is a major step and will hopefully continue to prove that athletes from all over the world, who speak any language, can be superstars in America.
That is obvious to most, but comments still pop up from time to time about Ohtani not being able to be the face of MLB if he can’t speak English.
Remember when Stephen A. Smith said just that?
Shohei Ohtani will be the cover athlete on MLB The Show (should be "Sho") 2022 https://t.co/TUI2vj09cN
— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) January 31, 2022
The way I’m so happy for Shohei Ohtani. First Angels player and first Asian player on the cover of MLB the Show. You best bet I’m dropping all my pennies to buy the PS5 and Nintendo Switch versions 💸 https://t.co/bpagBVfTqG
— 🧧 VforVera (@VforVintageVera) January 31, 2022
Ohtani is an extremely likable player and he deserves all the attention and honors he is receiving.
He was the unanimous American League MVP for the 2021 season and he still may only be getting started at 27 years old.
The two-way star has been with the Los Angeles Angels since 2018.
In just a few years, there should not even be a discussion about whether he is the face of the league and the sport in general.
NEXT: Could Mike Trout Ever Demand A Trade?