Shohei Ohtani is just the best
This is the online version of our daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Subscribe to get irreverent and incisive sports stories, delivered to your mailbox every morning.
By now we all know Angels outfielder/pitcher/home run smasher Shohei Ohtani is the coolest guy in baseball. What he’s been doing since joining MLB has been unlike anything we’ve ever seen before and he continues to make it look so darn easy.
We’ve also been learning how awesome of a person he is and it’s fair to say he’s a pretty darn awesome person.
First, though, let’s get with the baseball stuff. He literally leads the Angels in all hitting and pitching stats, which is just insane. His 32 home runs are well behind the great Aaron Judge, but they’re still impressive. And the way he has hit some of those home runs has been so fun to watch.
This past Saturday he pitched eight innings of one-run ball and then on Monday he belted two home runs. That just isn’t stuff we’re used to seeing. Ever.
Now let’s get to how cool of a person he can be. Did you see how he struck out against Kody Clemens (Roger’s son) earlier this week? Clemens is an infielder and was just filling in on the mound during a blowout and got Ohtani looking on a 68 mph pitch.
How’d Ohtani respond to that moment that might have been a little embarrassing for him? He signed the ball with a note that read “What a nasty pitch!” and gave it to Clemens.
I mean, how great is that?
What’s not great is that Ohtani plays for the Angels and will not be playing in the postseason this year. It would be so great to see this legend pitching and hitting in huge games. Hopefully some day that will happen.
But for now we should just appreciate everything about this great man.
He’s the best.
Quick hits: NFL power rankings… Nick Kyrgios’ embarrassing tantrum… Fantasy football studs, duds, and sleepers… And more.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
– With NFL Week 1 starting tomorrow night get ready for it all with our latest power rankings.
– This video of Nick Kyrgios throwing a tantrum after losing in the U.S. Open last night is so embarrassing.
– Speaking of football, Cole Huff has his fantasy studs, duds and sleepers for Week 1.
– Billy Horschel absolutely ripped LIV golfers for playing in DP World Tour event this week.