Now a three-way player sensation with making appearances in the outfield, Shohei Ohtani has taken the start of the 2021 baseball season by storm. Both his pitching on the mound and hitting at the plate have been exceptional, and this is the window of Shotime that we’ve been waiting for since he came to the MLB in 2018. Kev and Jack discuss how it’s all unfolded so far, notable moments, his current stats, and what might be on the horizon. Plus, a brief recap on the Angels current status and letting Albert Pujols go from the team.

Opening Day is here again and the excitement has been noticeably increasing for Shohei Ohtani having a successful year as a two-way player on the mound and at the plate. After an impressive Spring Training on both ends, including some dingers, even the doubters and haters are starting to change their mind. Jack and Kev discuss the offseason, what he did in the Cactus League this March, and how it’s looking for him and the Angels heading into a full regular 162 game slate following the shortened 60 game season of last year.

It was a slow and torturous rest of the season to be a fan of Ohtani, even though he was finally able to just focus only on hitting after stopping pitching for his forearm strain. It turned out not to be a good year for him on either side of the baseball. Plus, the Angels once again didn’t make the playoffs (goodbye Billy Eppler), even though they almost snuck in over the Astros at the end. 

It’s going to be a long offseason.

In the meantime, if you want to hear more of Kev and Jack, you can listen to Pros and Cons:

Two weeks into the covid season, we have injury news. Ohtani is off the pitching mound for the season, although luckily he will still be able to keep hitting in games. Deja vu is real because it feels just like 2018. Jack and Kev discuss what this news means, how Ohtani’s season had been going before this happened, and what it means for the rest of the year. Plus, the biggest question of all: how does this impact the idea of Ohtani continuing to pursue being a two-way player in the future? 

Also, as usual, an Angels update with their chances of making the playoffs at the moment. 

Shoutout to Trout Daddy on the new baby!

For anyone interested, here's also a link to our other podcast 'Pros and Cons' where we talk about a mix of topics -

After the longest offseason of all time, baseball is finally back! With the global pandemic of coronavirus, it’s going to be a strange limited season of 60 games. Ohtani is coming off left knee surgery from last September, and has also been finishing rehabbing from Tommy John surgery from Fall 2018. So while last year he didn’t pitch because of the TJ, he will be back to his two-way player status this year.

In this return episode to kick off Ohtani’s third season playing in America, hosts Kev and Jack look at what’s to come. What might this season be like for him? And how will the Angels do after hiring a new legendary manager (Joe Maddon) or signing a superstar third baseman (Anthony Rendon)? Do they have a chance in this limited season?