MLB
Los Angeles announces Shohei Ohtani Day: when is it?
The baseball star was honoured by the city of Los Angeles for his impact since his arrival at the Dodgers.
The city of Los Angeles announced May 17 as Shohei Ohtani Day. The Los Angeles City Council shared the news this Friday at a meeting where the Japanese star, along with members of the Dodgers front office, were present.
The City Council recognised the impact that the Japanese player has had beyond the sporting realm: Ohtani’s signing with the Dodgers caused a revolution for the fans; he has been responsible for drawing in the crowds to the stadium week after week in order to see the athlete in the batter’s box.
Ohtani celebrated as a hero in Los Angeles
Shohei was the star of the World Baseball Championship, where he led his nation to the title; this win earned him a 10-year $700 million contract with the Dodgers. Since the announcement of his signing, the hitter and pitcher has demonstrated that the franchise’s investment was the right decision, generating a considerable increase in the interest of his own fans and those of others, as well as of the players involved in the sport, who consider the baseball player one of the most influential figures of modern times.
Shohei Ohtani was grateful for the decision of the City Council and also took the opportunity to acknowledge the attentions of his new team: “I feel incredibly honoured by the recognition and the reception today and I also want to thank the Dodgers organisation for their continued support,” said the Japenese star.
Ohtani rounded out the day’s celebration with a home run against the Cincinnati Reds in the second game of the series.
This is not the first time the city of Los Angeles has recognised a member of the Dodgers. Just last year the City Council made Fernando Valenzuela Day official on August 11, coinciding with the date the Dodgers retired the Mexican pitching legend’s 34 jersey.
Ohtani achieved the distinction in his first season with the team, where he will, unfortunately, only be able to demonstrate his batting skills and not on the mound due to the elbow surgery he was forced to undergo. The eyes are still on the unique talent who promises to become a legend with the ferocious pace at which he is setting records in the sport.