The Los Angeles Dodgers already announced the signing of Japanese star Shohei Ohtani a few days ago, this past weekend.
The world has known it for a while: in fact, the curious structure of the contract has been praised and criticized with passion, depending on who is voicing their opinion.
The team, however, has not yet introduced him to the media.
That day has finally arrived.
“The Dodgers will introduce superstar Shohei Ohtani today at a 3 p.m. press conference. 300 media members are expected to attend — including about 200 from Japanese media outlets,” Front Office Sports tweeted.
The Dodgers will introduce superstar Shohei Ohtani today at a 3 p.m. press conference.
300 media members are expected to attend — including about 200 from Japanese media outlets. pic.twitter.com/6ImVqgcsOE
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) December 14, 2023
How crazy is it that there will be 300 members of the press at Ohtani’s introductory conference?
That’s the kind of attention he commands: he is the best and most influential player in baseball who recently signed the largest contract in the history of the game.
Of course he is going to be the focal point of attention.
Ohtani is an enormous figure in both United States and Japan, and since LA isn’t that far from his home country, dozens of media outlets will follow the press conference and keep their respective audiences and readers updated.
Ohtani will fit in seamlessly in the Dodgers lineup, together with Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, Max Muncy, Jason Heyward, James Outman, Chris Taylor, and others.
Starting from 2025, he will be able to join LA’s rotation, too.
At $700 million over 10 years (it’s really over 20 years, according to the structure of the contract), Ohtani is now the most expensive player in the game.
His talent to pitch and hit, his global reach, and his accomplishments (including two AL MVP awards) make him worthy of the money.
NEXT: Shohei Ohtani Set Another All-Time Record This Week
