It’s a big year for Ohtani, as no longer after this season will he be committed to the Angels anymore. No more contract, and so far there’s been no real talks of him re-signing. So the pressure is on the Angels to win, and Ohtani wants to just as bad as ever – if not more, given he’s coming off leading Japan to victory in the World Baseball Classic only a few months ago. And now his opponent for that last championship out, Mike Trout, is back on his team again. However, Trout and Ohtani can only do so much on their own. Have the Angels improved enough to become a playoff contender? Or are they just a .500 team, as they’ve been for almost a decade now. Kev and Jack discuss Ohtani’s performance on both sides so far, how the Angels are looking, and how this all may impact his free agency.

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The winner of this year's World Baseball Classic all came down to the matchup everyone had been dreaming of: Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout. Little did we know it would be as perfect as could be, happening in the last out of the last game with the tying run at the plate. But just like with this podcast, Ohtani was the star. He struck out Trout to win Japan the WBC title, beating Team USA on their own turf. During the whole run of the tournament, Ohtani was unstoppable on both sides, earning him the MVP award for the tourney. Jack and Kev recap how the tournament went from start to finish, what was different about him playing for Japan, and discuss how the new MLB rules will impact Ohtani in his upcoming contract year before free agency.

We launched an Ohtani newsletter to go along with the podcast. You can subscribe at the link below for updates and to read more: https://ohtanicomestoamerica.substack.com

It’s time for the World Baseball Classic (WBC), the international tournament akin to the World Cup – except for baseball, and not anywhere near as big around the world. However, in Japan, it is huge deal. This will be the first time Ohtani will play to represent his home country on this big stage, and he seems very excited to do so. Kev and Jack talk about some history of the tournament, Japan’s success so far, how they’re looking this year, and more to preview the 2023 WBC.

Announcement! - We’ve launched an Ohtani newsletter as a compliment to the podcast. Subscribe at the link below for updates and to read more: https://ohtanicomestoamerica.substack.com

In the postseason award announcements, Ohtani took 2nd place in the AL MVP race to slugger Aaron Judge for the 2022 season. It wasn't much of a surprise, considering the historic 62-homer show that Judge put on this year. But while Ohtani ended up only receiving two of the 30 first place votes, arguments could easily be made for both sides. Jack and Kev break down how the seasons compared, how "Most Valuable" is a subjective and purposely vague measurement, and debate who the true winner should be. 

It was a great year for Ohtani on a personal level, but once again no playoff baseball after a losing season from the Angels team. The second half of the season since the last episode at the All Star break mirrored that, as the Angels didn't do well under Phil Nevin taking over as manager mid-year. There is some positive development as owner Arte Moreno is finding a buyer to take the team off his hands. Meanwhile, Ohtani had a major improvement on the pitching side this year and still put up strong hitting numbers while doing it – becoming the first player ever to have 30+ home runs and 200+ strikeouts in the same season. Kev and Jack take a deep dive on his performance for the season overall, securing the $30M arbitration bag, and what the future may hold for the last year of his contract with the team.

The All-Star Break brings us around the midway mark of the year. It took a little bit for Ohtani to warm up this season, but now he's continued to heat up as summer came into the air. Jack and Kev talk about his latest stretch of dominant pitching, how his streaky bat's been, more records he's breaking, and Shohei's time at the ASB. Then, a venting session on the dumpster fire that is the Angels season with a strong start, 14-game losing streak, firing of Joe Maddon, and big brawl with the Mariners that made things worse.

After an unusual offseason for baseball with the lockout, Opening Day is back and Ohtani will take the mound tomorrow for his official pitching and hitting return. Kev and Jack talk about the new “Ohtani rule” that came out of the lockout, the GQ Cover story, Ohtani being the cover star for the MLB The Show ’22 video game, his Spring Training, and predictions for his numbers this year. Plus, how the Angels did in the offseason and where Ohtani’s teammates stand to start the year.

New S5 cover illustration by ひっきー(ひきちゃん) www.instagram.com/hikky.baseball

With the playoffs and World Series over, it's time for baseball awards. Of course, they saved the most important one until the end, but it was worth the wait... Shohei Ohtani is your UNANIMOUS 2021 MOST VALUABLE PLAYER! He’s the first to get all the top place votes since Mike Trout almost a decade ago, and only a dozen or so players to ever to do it. Jack and Kev give their instant reactions to the MVP announcement with recording right after it happened and discuss some other offseason tidbits. Plus, what free agents the Angels might want to go after both on and off the mound.

The regular season is over and, as usual, the Angels did not make the playoffs or come close. While the second half of the year after the All-Star Break was quieter than the beginning for Ohtani, he still kept up the two-way play. It looks like he’ll be in line for the MVP, when those awards are given out in November (which we’ll be doing another episode for). In the meantime, Kev and Jack go over how Ohtani did for the year and what takeaways there are. Plus, the bright and dark spots of the Angels season in general. Even Ohtani’s best season yet was only so much help.

We’re at the break of an incredible first half for Ohtani where he’s leading the league in home runs, up there in Cy Young contention, and is giving us “Shotime” night in and night out – both on and off the mound. There’s been no bigger stage, however, then this past All-Star week. Ohtani participated in the Home Run derby, and then the next day was the leadoff hitter and starting pitcher in the All-Star game. He was the center of attention, rightfully so, and has been the overall star of the season. Jack and Kev break down his numbers so far, how they felt about the HR derby and ASG, and the current State of Shohei.