[5] Ohtani's high school baseball coach, Hiroshi Sasaki, said that he was a fast swimmer who "could have made the Olympics. [154], Additionally in October, the term "Ohtani rule" was added to Dictionary.com as an official entry in their lexicon. Even so, it doesn't sound as though two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Angels are likely to reach a deal before it's go time. Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani, the 2021 American League MVP and runner-up in 2022, is set to hit free agency in 2023. Dodgers may be early favorite in Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes. Coming up with a 54 deficit in the 8th, he singled off Shinji Tajima to bring in Shogo Akiyama with the tying run. In the same game, Ohtani pitched 5+13 perfect innings before giving up a single to former teammate Jason Castro, the only hit of the game for Houston. "Ohtani" redirects here. The deal was finalized the next day. [27], During the July 2014 Mazda All-Star Game, he threw a 162km/h (101mph) fastball in the bottom of the 1st inning, setting a new record for the fastest official pitch thrown by a Japanese pitcher, beating the record set by the Yakult Swallows' Yoshinori Sato in 2010 (161km/h (100mph)). He drew a career-high four walks on September 22 and three walks on September 23, against the Houston Astros, followed by four more walks on September 24 and two walks on September 25 against the Seattle Mariners. Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. [24] During his five-year tenure with the Fighters, Ohtani opted to live in the team's provided dormitories, while his parents oversaw his personal finances.[6]. However, before that could happen, he had surgery on his right ankle in early October. This lawyer wants him to pay up", "Influencers beware: promoting the wrong crypto could mean facing a class-action lawsuit", American League Most Valuable Player Award, American League Designated Hitter Silver Slugger Award, Sporting News MLB Rookie of the Year Award, Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shohei_Ohtani&oldid=1142882639, American League Most Valuable Player Award winners, Japanese expatriate baseball players in the United States, Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award winners, Nippon Professional Baseball designated hitters, Nippon Professional Baseball MVP Award winners, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia pending changes protected pages, Articles needing translation from Japanese Wikipedia, Articles containing Japanese-language text, Articles that may be too long from October 2021, Pages using multiple image with auto scaled images, Articles containing potentially dated statements from April 2022, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. He threw mostly fastballs, even clocked one at 160km/h (99mph), occasional curveballs, and a few forkballs in the mid-140s, including one he threw perfectly in the second inning to strike out Tampa Bay Rays star Ben Zobrist. He became the second-fastest Angels rookie to reach 20 home runs, and he joined Babe Ruth as the only MLB players with 10 pitching appearances and 20 homers in a season. Gabriel Christus / AP. [135] He pitched 4+23 innings against the Houston Astros, allowing one earned run and one walk while striking out 9. Shohei Ohtani knew coming . Offensively, he went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Shohei Ohtani takes swings at Angels spring training on Feb. 17, 2023. Such an event had not occurred since Babe Ruth took the mound as starting pitcher for the Yankees on June 13, 1921, leading the AL with 19 home runs. Of the 15 pitches he threw in the 1st inning, eight were in the 160s; 99s in MPH. Widely considered one of . [102] Additionally, in the same game, Ohtani became the first pitcher to throw a scoreless top half and record a hit, a RBI, a stolen base and a scored run while playing in an AL ballpark since Luis Tiant did so for the Minnesota Twins on April 26, 1970. On the mound, he has struck out 87 and walked 35 in . The proceeds were donated to three Tohoku earthquake children's relief funds. [30], During the postseason, Ohtani was chosen to become a member of the national team, dubbed Samurai Japan, and participated in the Suzuki All-Star Series,[31] a five-game friendly competition with a squad of major leaguers. In 104 games and 382 plate appearances in 2016, Ohtani hit 22 home runs. Shohei Ohtani, the reigning AL MVP and one of the most exciting players in all of baseball can also be one of the most confusing players to figure out how to deploy and value in fantasy baseball. Ohtani took longer to pitch in 2022 because he regularly shakes off his catcher. [2] He had seven outfield assists to one error. [94] He had already been selected as the starting designated hitter by the fans for the 2021 All-Star Game on July 1,[95] while being voted by the players as one of five starting pitchers to make the American League roster on July 4. During that start, he struck out seven batters. His chase to join the 60-home run club is incredibly fun and, frankly, carrying a lackluster, at this point, Yankees supporting offensive cast has to work in his favor. Team: Los Angeles Angels (majors) Born: July 5, 1994 in Oshu, Japan jp High School: Hanamaki Higashi (Iwate, Japan) Debut: March 29, 2018 (Age 23-267d, 21,573rd in major league history) vs. OAK 5 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB the legend of Shohei Ohtani as a two-way player truly began. The Los Angeles Angels are in a precarious position with two-way star player Shohei Ohtani, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2023 season. [7] He began playing baseball in his second year of elementary school and as a seventh-grader, Ohtani recorded all but one of 18 outs in a six-inning regional championship game. Angels. Ohtani has a habit of hitting the top of the clubhouse at Diablo Stadium with his batting practice bombs. Ohtani's 25th home run of the season was his 118th career home run, which surpassed Ichiro Suzuki's 117 career home runs to become second place on the all-time Major League home run list for Japanese-born players. He received platelet-rich plasma and stem-cell injections to treat the injury. He played in NPB for the Fighters from 2013 through 2017 as a pitcher and an outfielder. [71], The 2020 MLB season did not start until July 24 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [56] Making his third start pitching on April 18 against the Boston Red Sox, Ohtani exited after two innings due to a blister on his right middle finger. The Angels' Shohei Ohtani reacts after striking out during the third inning of their Cactus League game against the San Francisco Giants on Monday in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) Shohei Ohtani pitched 2 1/3 hitless innings in his only spring training outing on the mound for the Angels before he joins Japan for the World Baseball Classic. [78][79] He threw bullpen sessions earlier than usual and took batting practice against live pitching, an offseason first for him. Ohtani dazzles in mound debut", "Ohtani homers in his third straight game", "Shohei Ohtani retires first 19, fans 12 over 7 scoreless", "Shohei Ohtani exits game with blister on finger", "Shohei Ohtani has UCL sprain, placed on DL", "Angels' Shohei Ohtani activated from DL, goes 0-for-4 versus M's", "Shohei Ohtani homers twice, his first two on the road", "Shohei Ohtani ready to pitch Sunday after nursing 11-week UCL injury", "Shohei Ohtani keeps making MLB history, even as he weighs having Tommy John surgery", "Ohtani has successful Tommy John surgery", "Shohei Ohtani named AL Rookie of the Year by Baseball Digest", "Shohei Ohtani earns second Rookie of the Month award", "Shohei Ohtani slams 2 homers after Tommy John surgery recommendation", "Angels' Shohei Ohtani will have Tommy John at start of offseason", "Ohtani tops Yanks duo for AL Rookie of the Year", "Ohtani activated as DH, hitting 3rd tonight", "Shohei Ohtani becomes first Japanese-born player to hit for the cycle", "Ohtani to have left knee surgery, season over", "MLB's 60-game schedule for 2020 unveiled", "Shohei Ohtani makes blunder as first baserunner under MLB's new extra-inning rule", "Ohtani's return goes awry: 5 runs, no outs", "Shohei (flexor) won't throw for 4-6 weeks", "Maddon: Shohei Ohtani won't pitch again for Angels this year", "Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani is happy to be free of restrictions on his use", "Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Avoids two years of arbitration", "Shohei Ohtani hits 101 mph on the radar gun, a 450-foot home run and leaves two-way start after awkward fall", "Ohtani CRUSHES HR in first two-way start", "Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Scratched with blister", "Angels' Shohei Ohtani will be on a pitch count and won't hit when he returns to the mound Tuesday", "Ohtani K's 9, drives in 2 runs, makes history", "Shohei Ohtani goes from disaster to magnificent in Angels' win over Rangers", "Angels' Shohei Ohtani first pitcher to compete in Home Run Derby", "Ohtani, Schwarber named June's top players", "Shohei Ohtani makes all kinds of history with 30th homer of season", "Trailblazer Ohtani in ASG as hitter, pitcher", "Angels' Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout selected as All-Star game starters", "Ohtani hits 32nd HR, tops Matsui's Japanese sluggers record", "Osaka Naomi, Ohtani Shohei win ESPY awards", "2021 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby: Results, bracket and highlights as stars swung for the fences in Denver", "Ohtani earns historic win with perfect 1st", "Shohei Ohtani donates Home Run Derby earnings to Angels support staff", "All-Star Game: Shohei Ohtani named AL starting pitcher after MLB bends rules for Kevin Cash", "Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon says star Shohei Ohtani should win the AL MVP award: 'It's not even close', "Ohtani pitches, hits and runs through Rox", "Ohtani steals way into record books in loss", "Whoa! [148], For a second straight year, Ohtani was voted in to the All-Star Game by fans as the starter at the designated hitter position on July 8[149] and on July 10 he was selected as a starting pitcher again, making history as the only player to be selected as an All-Star as both a position player and a pitcher twice. He hit 100mph while blowing away eventual champion South Korea (10 K, 2 H, 2 BB, 0 R in 6 IP) before Norimoto relieved. [176] After Ohtani joined the Angels, Mizuhara suggested to Ohtani, as an icebreaker, to combine his hobby of playing video games by downloading Clash Royale with the rest of the clubhouse. I'd pretty much never experienced the feeling of wanting to do something but being completely unable to do it. [130] He also became the 16th recipient of the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award, awarded by Commissioner Rob Manfred,[3] who formally recognized Ohtani's 2021 season as "historically significant" and "unprecedented", calling it "so special that it was important to recognize the historic achievement that took place in 2021 with an award just about 2021. [176] The interpreter steps into any number of sub-duties, including Ohtani's agendapreparation, play, recovery, media availability, breaking down advanced analytics and recovery timetables between Ohtani and the Angels organization. Get the latest news and updates on Shohei Ohtani from The Athletic. The Angels . He also hit 162km/h twice against the second hitter, Aoi Enomoto. Ohtani also joined Babe Ruth as the only players with at least 100 home runs and at least 250 strikeouts as a pitcher. [73], On July 26, 2020, Ohtani returned to the mound against the Oakland Athletics, making his first pitching appearance since September 2018. 42m 15s. [77] The culmination of experiencing injuries in his 2019 and 2020 campaigns led to Ohtani describing feeling "frustrated" and "useless". Shohei Ohtani will become a free agent after this season. Ohtani started 2015 NPB All-Star Game 1 for the PL. He also tied for the MLB lead with eight triples to go along with 26 stolen bases. 42m 30s. [175] Mizuhara's role as Ohtani's personal interpreter ranges from confidante to conditioning coach and throwing partner, to making sure Ohtani understands, and is understood. Positions: Designated Hitter and Pitcher Bats: Left Throws: Right 6-4, 210lb (193cm, 95kg) . He finished the season batting .286/.343/.505 with 18 home runs, 62 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases in 106 games. [57] On June 6, Ohtani left the game after a blister on the same finger. [3] He was also the first player in MLB history to be an All-Star as both a pitcher and a hitter, as he was a starter in the 2021 All-Star Game in both capacities, as the AL's manager-selected starting pitcher (earning the win) and fan-elected starting designated hitter (as the leadoff hitter). [3], In 2022, Ohtani became the first player in the modern era to qualify for both the hitting and pitching leaderboards in one season, reaching the limits of 3.1 plate appearances and one inning pitched per game with 586 at bats against 166 innings pitched. [33], Ohtani led the league in wins and winning percentage with a 155 record in just 22 starts, and his 2.24 ERA, 5 complete games, and 3 shutouts were also best in the league. [111], From September 22 to 25, Ohtani drew 13 walks in a 4-game span, tying an AL/NL record set by Babe Ruth in 1930, Bryce Harper in 2016, and Yasmani Grandal in 2021. [148] His 111 strikeouts over 81 innings pitched in the game made him the first Angels pitcher to record 110 K's in the first half in fewer than 100 innings and the first Angels pitcher to 110 K's in the first half since Garrett Richards in 2014. You've got the NFBC approach of Ohtani is one player and you have to decide each . [108], On September 21, after hitting his 45th home run of the season, Ohtani became the first player to hit at least 45 homers and steal 20 bases in a season since Alex Rodriguez in 2007. With the count 01, Ohtani threw a fastball that registered 162km/h (101mph) on the stadium radar gun and shattered Ginji's bat in half. He also became the fourth Angels player with multiple seasons of 15 home runs and 10 stolen bases prior to the All-Star break and the eighth Major Leaguer since earned runs were official in 1913 to record 40-plus strikeouts and zero earned runs in a four-start span. He finished third in MVP voting again, placing behind Yanagita and Shogo Akiyama for the 2015 Pacific League MVP. He singled against Ryo Akiyoshi in the 7th and scored on a hit by Kenta Imamiya for a 43 lead. [181], Ohtani is the cover athlete of MLB The Show 22[182] and is the first Asian player to be featured as the cover star of MLB: The Show. Ohtani received 4 of the 233 votes for the 2013 Nippon Professional Baseball Rookie of the Year Award (Pacific League), tying Tatsuya Sato for a distant second behind Takahiro Norimoto. He joined Alex Rodriguez in 2007 and Ken Griffey Jr. in 1999 as the 3rd AL player to accomplish this feat before September. [6] Coached by his father, he displayed an aptitude for the game at an early age. His new contract more than tripled his previous salary estimated at 30M yen. The San Francisco Giants signed former New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto this offseason. LA . [136] He became the first player in MLB history to start Opening Day as both the starting pitcher and the leadoff hitter. 0:00. [130] Ohtani was also offered Japan's national honor, the People's Honour Award, by the Prime Minister of Japan in recognition of his accomplishments, but Ohtani rejected it, saying it was "still too early" for such an award. [106], Ohtani would cap off the month of August by stealing his 20th base in a game on August 28 against the San Diego Padres, becoming the first Japanese-born player[107] and the first player in Angels history to hit 40 home runs and have 20 stolen bases in the same season. [150] Ohtani announced; however, that he would only participate as a hitter in the All Star Game, even though he was considered as a candidate to start for the AL team. [88] Three days later, Ohtani was named AL Player of the Week for the third time in his career after hitting six home runs and picking up a win as starting pitcher. @ RhettBollinger. The free agency of Shohei Ohtani, baseball's only two-way superstar, looms for the Los Angeles Angels, but Ohtani wants to focus on winning games. Throughout the entire season, Ohtani performed double-duty as a pitcher and outfielder, utilizing his strong throwing arm as well as his impressive batting skills. He also won the Best Nine award as a pitcher and won the Pacific League MVP. But the really big deal is . Ohtani to pitch 1st", "Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani strikes out nine, hitless at plate in loss to Astros", "What else is new? 42m 21s. Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to have at least 45 homers, 25 stolen bases, 100 RBIs, 100 runs, and eight triples in a season and the second player in AL history to record at least 45 homers and 25 stolen bases in a season, joining Jose Canseco in 1998. [38] In Game 1, he batted for DH Yuya Hasegawa and lined out in the 8th against Scott Mathieson. [170], Ohtani is a left-handed batter. Shohei Ohtani 2023 regular season home runs. February 16, 2023 at 5:26 p.m. EST. 1 story in camp -- the No. "I've always been open to it," Ohtani's agent Nez Balelo . [92] On July 3 against the Baltimore Orioles, Ohtani became the first player in American League history to reach 30 home runs and 10 stolen bases in the first 81 games of the season. February 22nd, 2023. [140] His induced 29 swings and misses became the most registered number of swings and misses in a game for 2022. (Morry Gash / Associated Press) Shohei Ohtani took his usual stance in the batter's box, bat perked up, face solemn. He was the run-away winner of the 2016 Pacific League Most Valuable Player Award, getting 253 of 254 first-place votes (Naoki Miyanishi got the other one) and one second-place vote. As a pitcher, he finished the season with a 30 record in 11 starts. 1 face is a dude that needs an interpreter', "Ohtani's interpreter to catch in HR Derby", "Shohei Ohtani can hit, pitch -- and keep his teammates laughing", "Japanese star Shohei Ohtani reportedly chooses CAA Sports to represent him in the U.S., a sign he's ready to play in the majors", "Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani looks slick in a photo shoot for Porsche", "Thanks To A Show-Stopping 2021, Shohei Ohtani's Endorsement Earnings Have Tripled In A Year", "Shohei Ohtani: Unanimous AL MVP is your MLB The Show 22 cover athlete", "Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani on cover of MLB the Show 22", "MLB The Show 22 - Gameplay Reveal - Nintendo Switch", "Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani lands exclusive memorabilia deal with Fanatics", "How MLB Superstar Shohei Ohtani Made $6 Million In Endorsements Without Even Trying", "MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani takes a stake in crypto firm FTX", "MLB Superstar Shohei Ohtani Joins FTX as Global Ambassador Through Long-Term Partnership", "Tom Brady is sued in connection with FTX collapse", "Tom Brady pushed crypto to his fans. [90] On June 23, he made history yet again as he hit for himself as a pitcher and the second batter in the lineup against the Giants with designated hitter rules in place, making it the first time in MLB history that an American League team chose not to use a DH while a National League team utilized one. Shohei Ohtani doesn't want to talk about free agency. In 2021, Ohtani compiled 46 home runs, 100 RBI and a .965 OPS en route to the American League MVP award. He also became the sixth starter in AL or NL history to make at least 13 home starts without a losing decision and an ERA below 2.00 in a season. 4) Los Angeles Angels. He was the second player, following Osamu Takechi (also 1950), to start a game at pitcher, bat in the heart of the order (3rd through 5th) and get a hit and a run batted in (RBI) in that game. Ohtani's 2021 season was formally recognized as "historically significant" and a "major impact on the sport"[3] by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, as he became the first two-way player in the history of MLB with 10+ home runs and 20+ stolen bases as a hitter and 100+ strikeouts and 10+ pitching appearances as a pitcher in the same season while also holding at least a share of the major league lead in home runs in fourteen starts. -115. Ohtani has batted .268/.357/.534 with 34 homers, 27 doubles, six triples and 89 RBIs through his first 143 games this season. [4], Ohtani was born to Kayoko and Toru Ohtani in sh, Iwate, Japan, on July 5, 1994. Ohtani narrowed his finalists to seven teams, signing with the Angels for a $2.315 million bonus. [45][46] On November 21, 2017, MLB and NPB came to a posting agreement for Ohtani. Overall, Ohtani pitched seven scoreless innings while striking out 12. [183] On February 9, 2022, Ohtani appeared in the Nintendo Direct to promote MLB The Show 22, as it was the first installment in the franchise to appear on a Nintendo console. Shintaro Fujinami, Shohei Ohtani Steal Spotlight in Athletics Vs. Angels This year's combine goes from February 28 through March 6. . Ohtani was dominant for the Japanese national team in the 2015 Premier 12. [6] Instead, he opted to stay local, selecting Hanamaki Higashi High School in Iwate Prefecture, Northern Japan,[8] the same high school as pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, whom he admired;[9] Ohtani competed there as a swimmer[10] and played baseball. [158], In the 2015 Premier12, Ohtani earned a bronze medal with the Samurai Japan National Baseball Team. [61] On September 7, Ohtani broke the MLB home run record by a Japanese rookie when he hit his 19th home run for the season. Shohei Ohtani reacts to hitting a foul ball while playing against the Houston Astros. [5] In Japan, Ohtani was known as a "yaky shnen" ()a kid who lives, eats and breathes baseball. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. Topps Project70 Card 268 - 1975 Mookie Betts by Tyson Beck Project 70 2017 Topps Now Off-Season OS-80 Shohei Ohtani PSA 9 Mint RC 2017 ToppsOS-80 Shohei Ohtani PSA 9RC His agent, Nez Balelo, made clear Monday . Ohtani, who batted .257/.372/.592, including 46 home runs runner-up for the MLB lead in homers, 100 RBI, 103 runs and 26 steals in 155 games and 639 plate appearances, hit several milestones to close his season, reaching both 100 RBIs and 100 runs for the first time in his career. "[78], After the results of the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Ohtani spent the offseason overhauling himself. Ohtani said, "[Until 2019], I could more or less do the things I wanted to do. Nine wins and two losses as a pitcher. [35] Norimoto relieved with a 30 lead but he and two other relievers combined to allow four in the 9th to blow it as Japan fell in a shocking defeat. [97], Ohtani participated in the Home Run Derby on July 12. [152], Against the New York Yankees on August 30, Ohtani launched a go-ahead three-run home run off Yankees ace Gerrit Cole in the sixth inning to become the only player in MLB history with 10+ pitching wins and 30+ HR in the same season. This capped his bonus at $3.557 million and limited him to a rookie salary scale, while the signing team also had to pay a $20 million posting fee to the Fighters. During his MVP . PSA MTG OCG NFT 2018 Topps Finest Refractor #100 Shohei Ohtani Rookie AGC 10 Gem Mint LA Angels 2018 Topps Finest Refrecor100 Shohei Ohtani . Entertainment Headlines Today [Fri-03-Mar-2023] "I am tired of crying and overthinking" - Nigerian lady seeks advice on how to stop loving her husband - Linda Ikeji "I lost my wife due to my weak fleshly desires" - Man laments on Facebook - Linda Ikeji "My party was different to that of my children's dad," Precious Chikwendu warns people to stop cursing her children over their father Femi Fani . His talent on the . Shohei Ohtani has agreed to a $30 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels for the 2023 season in the two-way superstar's final year of arbitration eligibility before free agency.. The rule was colloquially dubbed the "Ohtani rule" because of Ohtani's unique prowess as a two-way player. On October 16, 2016, Ohtani recorded the fastest pitch in NPB history at 165 kilometres per hour (102.5mph). [65], On September 3, 2018, ESPN announced that doctors recommended that Ohtani undergo Tommy John surgery, after an MRI showed new damage to his UCL. He also became just the fourth AL pitcher to throw at least eight innings and hit a homer in a game since the DH was instituted in 1973, joining Jon Garland in June 2006, Kris Benson in June 2006, and Bobby Witt in June 1997. Shohei Ohtani ( , tani Shhei, born July 5, 1994), nicknamed "Shotime", is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher, designated hitter and outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). "[3] Ohtani was offered Japan's national honor, the People's Honour Award, by the Prime Minister of Japan in recognition of his accomplishments, but Ohtani rejected it, saying it was "still too early" for such an award. Ohtani's five strikeouts in the game brought him to 157 on the season, a new single-season high eclipsing his 2021 total of 156. In 10 starts on the mound, he notched a 42 record with a 3.31 ERA, 1.16 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) and 63 strikeouts. [23] He was the second Nippon Pro Baseball rookie drafted out of high school the previous year to be used as both a pitcher and position player, following Kikuo Tokunaga in 1951; Ohtani was the first to start in both roles. [143] On May 14, 2022, Ohtani hit his 100th career MLB home run, making him the third Japanese-born player with at least 100 homers in the majors, trailing only Hideki Matsui with 175 and Ichiro Suzuki with 117. Valdez outpitched Ohtani with 6 2/3 innings of two-hit ball, and the Astros tied the longest opening day winning streak in major league history with a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on . [174] Ippei Mizuhara is Ohtani's personal interpreter with the Los Angeles Angels and has known him since Ohtani was 18, starting in 2013 during Ohtani's days with the Fighters. They accommodated his . Follow your favorite teams and leagues for in-depth analysis and expert coverage from the best newsroom in sports. The crown jewel will be Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani. [12][14][15][16] On October 21, 2012, he announced that he would pursue a career in Major League Baseball rather than turn professional in Japan. [103], Ohtani would finish the month of July as the first player in Major League history to ever have at least 37 home runs and 15 stolen bases before the end of July. In his first pitching start against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday Night Baseball on April 4, 2021, he threw 4 innings, allowing one earned run and two unearned runs. Teammate Brandon Laird would win the Series MVP. The first player in MLB history. [101] After pitching a perfect first inning, he also became the first player in major league history to compete in the Home Run Derby and earn a win as the starting pitcher in the All-Star Game. [146], On July 6, 2022, against the Miami Marlins, Ohtani made MLB history again by becoming the first player since RBI became an official statistic in 1920 to record 10 strikeouts as a pitcher, two RBIs as a batter, and a stolen base all in a single game.