Ohtani Comes To America

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A show following the path of baseball phenom Shohei Ohtani, a two-way player who came to the MLB from Japan as both a pitcher and hitter. Now entering his sixth season and contract year, it will be a busy year for Ohtani. Hosted by Kevin De Los Santos and Jack Sommer. Current cover artwork by @247chr0 on Twitter. You can read our newsletter: https://ohtanicomestoamerica.substack.com

1 ABR

Married Man + Ippei Gambling Scandal

It’s been a crazy offseason for Ohtani this year. Signing his $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency wasn’t the end of it. Aside from normal Spring Training ramping back up after his procedure, some other developments came up. On the positive side, Ohtani announced he was newly married to Mamiko Tanaka, who has been a Japanese basketball player in recent years. On the negative side, a gambling scandal emerged around his former right hand man – interpreter Ippei Mizuhara – which Ippei involved Ohtani in by reportedly lying about knowledge and involvement to it. Jack and Kev talk about the latest developments with the marriage and Ippei, as well as giving a little preview to the Dodgers’ year ahead. Ohtani’s seventh MLB season has officially begun. Subscribe to our newsletter for more Ohtani updates: ⁠ohtanicomestoamerica.substack.com

27 min
19 FEB

The 29 'What If' Teams

Ohtani has reported to Spring Training and is beginning a new journey to prepare for the start of the 2024 season. While the Dodgers were always a top contender and obvious destination in free agency, what if Ohtani had chosen somewhere else? Kev and Jack look through specific lenses – the uniforms, locations, stadiums, and competitiveness – at the 29 other MLB teams in the league. Subscribe to our newsletter for more Ohtani updates: ohtanicomestoamerica.substack.com Thanks to the talented artist @247chr0 on Twitter for creating our new podcast cover artwork!

27 min
22/12/2023

Contract Details Brings Debate

After getting the full breakdown on the $700 million contract that Ohtani signed with the Dodgers, perceptions around the deal shifted. While it was a 10-year contract to play for the team, $680 million of that will be deferred until after it finishes. For the next 10 years, Ohtani will make $2 million per year – which is the number that got headlines. However, for the Dodgers’ luxury tax purposes (aka how competitive they can be), Ohtani will still be measured against that as $46 million per year based on MLB’s system. Essentially, he’s still the highest value player in the league and does take up a lot of room on the team payroll. Jack and Kev talk about how this changes their opinion on the deal, the Dodgers’ press conference, Ohtani’s dog name reveal, and more. Subscribe to our Ohtani newsletter: ohtanicomestoamerica.substack.com

19 min
11/12/2023

Record $700M Contract with Dodgers

The big decision of free agency is done. Ohtani is staying in Southern California, but with the Los Angeles Dodgers as his next team. The contract is the biggest in sports history, $700 million for 10 years. After reporters had complained about it being too quiet and private a process for the sport, Friday included thousands of people tracking a flight to Toronto – and even Drake posting on Stories – before Ohtani shared his decision in an Instagram post the next day. Kev and Jack give their initial reactions, talk through the Dodgers team choice, and the frenzy that led to it. You can sign up for more updates at our newsletter: ohtanicomestoamerica.substack.com

30 min
28/11/2023

'Beyond The Dream' Doc + 2nd MVP Win

After winning the MVP in 2021 and falling second in 2022 to Aaron Judge’s record-breaking performance, Ohtani’s performance this year earned him a second unanimous MVP award win. Announced in mid-November, the next day a ESPN Films documentary was released – “Shohei Ohtani: Beyond The Dream” – about his journey from Japan to the U.S. and his unique vision to make it happen. Jack and Kev talk about how this MVP win impacts the future discussion and initial reactions to the documentary.

17 min
11/10/2023

Surgery Done, Season Over

After being shut down from pitching at the end of August, the rest of Ohtani's season also wrapped up earlier into September than expected. From an oblique injury that kept him as day-to-day, to then finally getting his elbow repair surgery (not full Tommy John), the decision was made that it was best for him to just heal at this point. Kev and Jack talk about the strange end to the season, as he finally finishes his contract with the Angels.

10 min
01/09/2023

Half The Sho

Ohtani was announced to have a UCL tear (in his elbow), which has stopped him from pitching for the rest of the season. And, depending if he gets Tommy John surgery again, could keep him from throwing next year as well. He’s still hitting for now, and could still do that most of 2024 as well, but there’s a lot more questions now overall around the future of Ohtani’s on-the-field play – let alone how this will all impact his upcoming free agency and the contract he’ll be signing. Meanwhile, the Angels completely blew it after the trade deadline and fell apart. Jack and Kev talk about what it all might mean for Ohtani, what this next month will bring (including the HR race with Olson), and the playful moment with Elly De La Cruz on the day of the injury. For weekly updates, subscribe to the newsletter: https://ohtanicomestoamerica.substack.com

21 min
04/08/2023

Staying in Anaheim, For Now

While the Angels said they were listening to trade offers, Ohtani seemed to never really be close to getting moved by the team. So he'll remain in Anaheim through the end of the season before free agency. Instead, the Angels brought in a few new players to help supplement their push for the playoffs. Kev and Jack do a quick recap of the last couple weeks since the All-Star Break, from the trade deadline period to Ohtani's incredible two-way doubleheader performance in Detroit. You can keep up to date with our weekly Ohtani newsletter at: ohtanicomestoamerica.substack.com

13 min

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Can't get enough of Shohei Talk!

16/04/2021

MikaWhy

So happy that "Ohtani Comes to America" is back! I've been a huge Shohei fan since he came to the MLB and this is the only podcast that has devoted it's time to talking about his journey from Japan to America! I love Jack and Kev's dry sense of humor, and all of their funny nicknames for Shohei. Please release more episodes, and more often guys! :)
Grand slam and Home Run

23/10/2018

Woodstock Film Festeve

Awesome podcast!!!!

A show following the path of baseball phenom Shohei Ohtani, a two-way player who came to the MLB from Japan as both a pitcher and hitter. Now entering his sixth season and contract year, it will be a busy year for Ohtani. Hosted by Kevin De Los Santos and Jack Sommer. Current cover artwork by @247chr0 on Twitter. You can read our newsletter: https://ohtanicomestoamerica.substack.com