Ohtani Comes To America

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: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pros-and-cons/id1450368529

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 - (Apple) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pros-and-cons/id1450368529 (Spotify) https://open.spotify.com/show/4jRPV5hB2WpajBq1reEU1c?si=gZRVQZ6XTHGMP_75aHAe1g

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?

Ohtani's season ended a couple weeks ago, but the Angels just wrapped up their regular season (with no playoffs ahead of them). We talk about some minor updates about the knee surgery Ohtani had a couple weeks ago and then take a step back to look at how his sophomore season went overall in 2019 as a one-way player. Then we do a speed round of the Angels overall season, the freshly announced firing of manager Brad Ausmus after only one year (and rumors of Joe Maddon being hired in his place), as well as our suggestions for upcoming free agents that Billy Eppler should pursue in the offseason to fill spots they need. We'll be back in Spring Training 2020! You can also click below for Pros and Cons, our other (non-baseball) podcast, which we'll still be doing in the offseason: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pros-and-cons/id1450368529

There was breaking news on Thursday, out of nowhere, that Ohtani was going to have season-ending knee surgery the next day on Friday (we were as shocked to hear as you are). With no indication of this throughout the year, this was an unfortunate way to end the year. But we look at why it actually may not be the worst situation and the positive side of his recovery to come leading up to next season. Additionally, we give an update on the Angels season (officially out of wild card race, other injuries, Mike Trout to likely be MVP, and Tyler Skaggs further aftermath). We'll have one more episode after the baseball regular season finishes at the end of the month to recap Ohtani's 2019 overall, so stay tuned for that.

The All-Star break happened this week. After a few days off, today marks the 2nd half of the season beginning. We talk about how Ohtani's done so far since coming back in early May, hitting for the cycle, getting a dinger on his 25th birthday, MLB not even offering him an invite to participate in the Home Run Derby this year, and more. Also, we talk about the latest updates with the Angels and look at the tragic passing of Angels pitcher, Tyler Skaggs, who died on July 1st at 27 years young and was a key part of their team and helped Ohtani with his transition to the U.S.

In a historic first MLB matchup in America between Yusei Kikuchi and Shohei Ohtani, two young baseball stars from Japan from the same region and high school, the two faced off for the first time in an MLB game. Being that Ohtani is only hitting this year, it was strictly a pitcher (Kikuchi) vs. hitter (Ohtani) matchup. The bats won the battle by a landslide, as did the Angels overall. They destroyed Kikuchi. We talk about the details of the game, as well as Ohtani's first month back after returning to playing following getting Tommy John surgery in the offseason. Plus, how the Angels have been doing so far in their first couple months.

THE BOY IS BACK! Finally, Ohtani was activated to play again this week. We talk about what that means, how he did in his first series back, predictions for this season from here on, how the Angels are doing, and other Shohei related news.

We're back for a special offseason recap as Spring Training ends and Opening Day is here with the baseball season officially at its start for 2019. This episode breaks down Ohtani winning Rookie Of The Year, the current status of his arm following his Tommy John surgery and his workouts, Angels news with pickups and the big Mike Trout contract, and the retirement of Ohtani's idol Ichiro Suzuki. (To note: Ohtani is scheduled to come back in May, so we will plan to return when he does)

Exactly 100 years ago in 1918, Babe Ruth gave his case for a two-way player. Now, a century later, Shohei Ohtani challenged that. We discuss comparisons between the two players and the two periods of baseball, including their close stat lines and random overall connections. (This is our finale for Season 1, Ohtani's Rookie Year, and we will return in March 2019 for Spring Training of next season)

As Yankees fans ourselves, but also Ohtani supporters, we get into a debate with each other about who should win the 2018 Rookie Of The Year award. Should it be Ohtani or the Yankees own Miguel Andujar? We each take sides and make our cases for who should take the crown.

Recap of the entire rookie season for Ohtani, going back all the way to when the news first broke a year ago of his decision to come to America at the end of 2017. We go through the key events and dates throughout, and what it meant to the bigger picture. Additionally, we mention some newly learned insight from the man himself on his reflections of the year.

Regular season comes to a big conclusion - Ohtani confirms he's getting Tommy John surgery immediately after this last week of games, Mike Scioscia announces he won't be returning as manager for the Angels next year (after 19 years), the discovery is made of Ohtani's spanish singing skills (Despacito!), he talks his final thoughts on the season, and we recap this week's series games against the Texas Rangers and Oakland A's. (P.S. - More episodes in coming weeks with a recap of the season overall and our Rookie Of The Year debate)

Rough and terrible week for both Ohtani and the Angels. Not anything to do with more injuries to Ohtani, but he's in a hitting slump right now and the team (aside from Mike Trout) is not playing well - including their worst loss of all time. We also discuss Ichiro's new ideas for Ohtani to try for his career, the $150K rookie card auction buy, and in general the road trip games against the Oakland A's and Houston Astros.

We went to a game this week against the Seattle Mariners so we discussed that, Trout and Ohtani having back-to-back dingers, winning the AL Player Of The Week award, his interview with MLB Network, joining Babe Ruth on another record with his 20th home run, Troutani vs. Uptani nicknames, his translator Ippei Mizuhara, and the other series earlier this week against the Texas Rangers.

The dreaded surgery recommendation comes in for Ohtani to get the infamous Tommy John operation on his arm. We break down what it means for both his pitching (not back until at least 2020) and batting (could be hitting all next season!). We also discuss Ohtani firing back at the plate while he continues to DH for the rest of the season, especially on the day of hearing the news, and the series games this week against the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox.

A big controversial week as Ohtani makes his pitching return against the Houston Astros, defending World Series champions and current AL West division leaders, in a nationally televised ESPN game. Kev and Jack discuss their opinions on the Angels bringing him back at this time, how the pitching start went, and what we can take away from it. We also talk about the season-ending surgery of Albert Pujols and what that means for Ohtani and the DH hitting role, as well as the series against the Colorado Rockies that started the week.

Facing real hitters in simulation games, Players Weekend ("Showtime"), Trout returns to the team, 80's night at Angels Stadium, Maldonado reunion, Justin Verlander matchup, conflict with batters getting hit, and the overall series games against the Arizona Diamondbacks and Houston Astros.