Shohei Ohtani is now officially a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. While they announced the 10-year, $700 million contract earlier in the week, it really didn’t become official until the introductory press conference at Dodger Stadium Thursday afternoon.
Ohtani was joined by the Dodgers’ brass, including owner Mark Walter and president Andrew Friedman. Both are happy not only because they landed the generational talent, but also due to the fact that their tenures are tied to him in Southern California. Talk about job security.
We know Los Angeles goes big. It’s Hollywood. The town of stars. Why would we even come close to believing that the Dodgers didn’t have something else in the plans for Thursday’s big announcement?
It was a media bonanza long before the press conference introducing Ohtani even started. Check out the line.
It’s no surprise. We’re talking about the same media that was tracking flights from Southern California to Toronto last week when it looked like Ohtani was going to sign with the Blue Jays.
This type of interest is expected given Ohtani’s star power and just how dominant he’s been as a two-way player since coming over from Japan back in 2018. He’s earned two American League MVP awards and was the AL Rookie of the Year. From the bump, Ohtani has pitched to a 38-19 record with a 3.01 ERA and 1.08 WHIP.
It led to the largest contract in MLB by a large margin. Said deal also calls for $680 million in deferred payments that will be paid out annually from 2034-2043 at $68 million per year.
Related: 5 thoughts on the landmark Shohei Ohtani contract
MLB world reacts to Shohei Ohtani’s intro press conference with the Los Angeles Dodgers
With this being a spectacle and broadcast nationally on MLB Network, it’s not a surprise that there were some rather interesting reactions to Ohtani being introduced as a member of the Dodgers.
Remember, he spent his first six MLB seasons just up the freeway in Anaheim as a member of the Los Angeles Angels. Ohtani started the presser by thanking the Angels’ organization and their fans.
“I would like to thank the Los Angeles Angels organization. It was a great ride. I will never forget the memories,” Shohei Ohtani said.
Now he’s officially in Dodger Blue. Look away, Angels fans.
The still photo makes it even more real.
Shohei was a smiling man. Who wouldn’t be after getting $700 million cold ones (minus California’s tax rate)? His interpreter? Not so much.
Ohtani talked about his decision to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers over other teams in contention for his services.
The new Dodgers star was also pretty surprised by the media turnout at his intro press conference.
We also have an official name for Ohtani’s dog. At the very least, the good boy’s American name.
Here’s the good boy.
Covering momentous moments like this has to include the biggest parts of the story. Ohtani’s dog being named Decoy stands above the rest.