The Los Angeles have one talent for their team. Two-way player Shohei Ohtani made history with the in just one season. Here are 10 facts about Japanese-born superstars you don’t know about (click here for the full video on the history of Snation’s Doug McCain Otani).
1. Shohei Otani pounded baseball from the roof of Tokyo Dome
Otani’s home runs have become a regular part of the day. And he not only hit a home run, but also hits far away. In 2016, Otani hit a ball from the roof of Tokyo Dome in an exhibition game against the Netherlands, a classic world baseball game.
It is estimated that he was dominated by the double of the ground rules and moved 525 feet.
2. Shohei Otani can I have it I was an Olympic swimmer
In addition to baseball, Otani was a competitive swimmer in high school. His coach at Hanhai Takahashi High School said Otani has the ability to become an Olympic swimmer.
3. Shohei Ohtani’s parents are both former athletes.
Otani’s father, Toru Otani, played semi-professional baseball in the Industrial League. He was an outfielder, but retired after suffering a shoulder injury. Otani’s mother, Otanigawa, was a talented badminton player.
4. Shoes Hei ohtani initially wanted to start his career in MLB
When he was 18, Otani held a press conference saying he was planning to start his career at MLB. However, the Nippon Ham Fighters drafted him as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NPB draft. He eventually spent five years at NPB.
5. Shohei Ohtani lived apart from a $1,000 allowance a month
During his early career, Otani made more than $2 million a year before approval. However, he lived a modest life as his mother controlled his finances and gave him a monthly allowance of $1,000.
6. The ‘ shoe hei contract was the biggest in professional sports history at the time.
Otani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the in 2024, celebrating the best deal in professional sports history. His contract surpassed professional footballer Lionel Messi’s four-year $671 million contract with FC Barcelona. It has since been passed by Juan Soto, who has signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets.
7. Shohei Ohtani is the most commercially available MLB player
Otani is estimated to receive $100 million approval this season. He makes more money than Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge, Mookie Betts, Mike Trout, Robert Aquña Jr., Clayton Kershaw and Freddie Freeman combined.
8. ShoheiOhtani can opt out of contracts with the under one condition
Otani can opt out of contracting with the if baseball business Andrew Friedman or chairman Mark Walter is no longer in the organization.
9. To help build a superstar team, shohei ohtani accepted the postponed money
Otani agreed to a $2 million annual salary to earn the most money with MLB approval. This leaves behind $680 million in postponed money, leaving a massive spending room for the , who Otani said they have to use to acquire top talent. Since signing Otani, the have added starting pitchers Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell and Saga’s roki.
10. Shoheiohtani can avoid paying taxes on his deferred money
California controller Malia Cohen said Ohtani could avoid paying taxes on the money that was postponed if he returned to Japan after his career. She said the current tax system will allow for unlimited postponements for the best tax people.
Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA Today Sports
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