Fans in Texas Urge Ohtani to Sign with Local Team
Shohei Ohtani, the 29-year-old player for the LA Angels, found himself at the center of an unexpected scene during a game at the Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Surprising even the locals, fans in Texas expressed their admiration for Ohtani, a player from the opposing team.
In a rare show of support for a player on the opposing team, Texas fans held up placards reading “Come to Texas” in the right field stands of the stadium. The warm reception for Ohtani even prompted the Texas reporter in charge to comment, “I’ve never seen anything like this. I thought Texas would make an offer to Ohtani when he became a free agent.”
Despite his team’s loss in the game against Texas, Ohtani received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from the crowd. When he was introduced in the starting lineup, the stadium erupted in applause, and chants of “We want Shohei” filled the air every time he stepped up to bat. The fans’ support for Ohtani was evident when he hit a single in the first inning, leading to even louder cheers.
Alex Hardy, who organized the event, expressed his desire for Ohtani to join the Texas team, stating, “Ohtani is a necessary and great player. I want him to come to Texas, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen.”
This is not the first time Ohtani has received such overwhelming support. In previous games at Dodger Stadium and T-Mobile Park, fans expressed their desire for Ohtani to sign with their respective teams. However, the organized and prepared placards displayed by fans in Texas marked a new level of fan involvement.
While the Texas team faces financial limitations due to previous investments and Ohtani’s high salary demands, there is still a possibility that they will pursue him. Texas reporter Jayleen Smoot acknowledged the team’s financial constraints but also highlighted Ohtani’s exceptional talent. “Ohtani is a rare talent who can excel both as a pitcher and hitter. It’s no wonder Texas would be interested in signing him,” Smoot said.
Ultimately, the decision rests with Ohtani, who will weigh his options carefully. Texas, known for making bold investments, may decide to make an offer if they deem it necessary. Despite the financial challenges, Texas fans remain hopeful that Ohtani will choose their team.
Written by Kim Dong-yoon | August 17, 2023
Reporter Kim Dong-yoon | 2023.08.17 07:35
Texas fans hold placards wishing Ohtani to sign in the right field outfield stands of home stadium Globe Life Field on the 16th (Korea time). / AFPBBNews = News 1 Ohtani Shohei (29, LA Angels) became the protagonist of another rare scene. surprised even the local people of the United States. At Globe Life Field, the home stadium of the Texas Rangers, a rare scene developed, chanting Ohtani, a player from the opposing team.
Japanese media Full Count said on the 16th (Korea time), “Even the reporter in charge of Texas said he had never seen the ‘strange scene’ around Ohtani. He thought Texas would make an offer to Ohtani when he opened the free agent market.”
On this day, Ohtani started as the second batter and designated hitter in the 2023 Major League road game against Texas at Globe Live Field in Arlington, Texas, and recorded 1 hit and 1 strikeout in 4 at-bats. The Los Angeles Angels fell into a two-game losing streak and recorded 59-62, 4th in the American League West, and 7th in the wild card standings, 8 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays, taking a step back.
Regardless of the content of the game, Ohtani was the player who received as warm a welcome as a Texas player at Globe Life Field that day. When Ohtani was introduced in the starting lineup before the game, the stadium erupted in applause, and placards reading “Come to Texas” were raised one by one in the right field stands. Every time Ohtani stepped to the plate, there were “We want Shohei” cheers, and when Ohtani got a hit in the first at-bat in the first inning, cheers came out.
According to the Full Count, Alex Hardy, who organized the event, told reporters, “I did it for Ohtani. I want him to come to Texas. He’s a necessary player and a great player for us. I’d like to give him a blank cheque.” .
Shohei Ohtani smiles at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, USA on the 16th (Korea time). ./AFPBBNews=news1
In fact, this isn’t the first time this has happened to Ohtani. At Dodger Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers this year, Ohtani received a favorable response, with unusual applause pouring in. At T-Mobile Park, home of the Seattle Mariners, where the Major League All-Star Game was held last month, slogans of “Come to Seattle” appeared.
However, this is the first time fans have organized and prepared placards like this. “Texas is better than Seattle in every way,” asserted Hardy and his friends, “when Ohtani comes, our numbers 1, 2, and 3 will be Marcus Simian-Otani-Cory Seager. It may cost about 1,339.5 billion after ‘to win), but I think you should pay as much as you need, at least crowdfunding should be done if necessary.”
Fans’ open love calls for players from other teams were unfamiliar to Texas reporters in charge of the Texas clubs on MLB.com’s official website. Reporter Jayleen Smoot said, “I’ve never seen a scene where Texas fans openly want a certain player like this. But Ohtani is a talent that transcends generations, so the support of the fans is understandable.” “Ohtani is the only player who can win 20 games on the mound and hit 40 home runs at the plate. That’s why Texas would want to sign him,” he said.
The stumbling block is the Texas team’s salary, which has reached its limit due to a huge investment, and Ohtani’s ransom. Ohtani is expected to receive at least $500 million (about 669.8 billion won), but Texas also has the fourth-highest annual salary structure in the major leagues with a total team salary of $247 million (about 330.9 billion won) this year . . 10 years, earned 325 million dollars (about 435.3 billion) with Seager, 7 years, 175 million dollars (about 234.4 billion earned) with Simeon, 5 years, 185 million dollars (about 247.9 billion earned ) with Jacob deGrom Following the signing of the contract, this trade deadline brought Max Scherzer, whose annual salary alone is $43.33 million (about 58 billion won).
Still, Smoot’s idea was that if he felt the need, he would jump into the race to recruit Ohtani because it was a Texas club that made a bold investment. “Realistically, Texas pockets are tight,” he said. “Texas general manager Chris Young is a very aggressive investor, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he made an offer to Ohtani. If you want to bring Ohtani, (somehow) you need money. It will be collected ,” he explained.
Shohei Ohtani looks at something at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, USA on the 16th (Korea time)./AFPBBNews=News1 Shohei Ohtani looks at something at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, USA on the 16th ( Korean time) I I’m watching./AFPBBNews=News1
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