Shohei Ohtani has become one of the most unique players in MLB history. A two-time American League MVP, Ohtani has continually defied what many fans and experts believed was possible on the baseball field.
Over his seven-year career, the Japanese sensation has become the biggest baseball star in the world, especially after joining the Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason. Shohei Ohtani sent the sporting world into a frenzy after the star agreed to a massive 10-year, $700,000,000 deal to join the Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason.
“Breaking: Japanese phenom Shohei Ohtani to sign with Angels as both hitter and pitcher” – @BleacherReport
While Ohtani seems right at home with the Dodgers, it took the star several years to join the club, opting to originally sign with the Los Angeles Angels when he made the move to the MLB. There was palpable excitement about the two-way star teaming up with Mike Trout with the Angels, however, not everyone was a fan of the decision.
One of those players was Justin Turner, who took time away from his wedding planning to try and convince Ohtani to join the Dodgers in 2018. “He might as well have not been sitting there,” Turner told the New York Post about meeting with Ohtani in person. “We might as well have been speaking to a window.”
“Shohei Ohtani was introduced to @ClaytonKersh22’s curveball” – @Cut4
A frustrated Justin Turner was not the only Los Angeles Dodgers star who met with Shohei Ohtani before he opted to sign with the Angels. Club legend Clayton Kershaw also attended the meeting and was also annoyed with the entire situation. “I’m kind of mad at his agent for making us waste all that time and effort,” Kershaw said.
Despite the snub, Shohei Ohtani eventually made his way to the Los Angeles Dodgers
Although there may have been some animosity from some Dodgers players and Ohtani opting to sign with the Los Angeles Angels prior to the 2018 season, he eventually made his way to the team. In arguably the most anticipated offseason in recent years, it felt like an inevitability that the two-way superstar was going to join the Dodgers.
There were a number of other clubs that either met with Ohtani or were linked to him, such as the San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox, Ohtani signed with the Dodgers. It remains to be seen if there is any resentment lingering from Turner or Kershaw.
