Ohtani visited on a teacher-like basis prior to his ML debut, "50 home run MVP after 20 wins in one season" 6 years ago, the expectation of a senior player was not lip service, but the reality
Sep 21, 2024
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On the 20th (Korea time), Ohtani achieved the first major league '50 (home run)-50 (stealing)' in the away game of the Miami Marlins, reminding us once again that we are living in the Ohtani era. He hit six hits, including a three-in-a-row home run, stole twice and posted 10 RBIs in the game. It went from '48-49' to '51-51' at once. He became the first Dodgers player to hit 50 home runs.
Major League Baseball's official site said 'An immortal record that will be remembered forever' But maybe Ohtani will break this record as well.
Former manager Hideki Kuriyama, who fully supported Ohtani's 'Idolryu' during his time at Nippon Ham, said "He had excellent baseball sense and was quick, but I didn't think he could steal like that." When he was in Japan, he was in a position to dissuade him from stealing because he was worried about his injury. I hope he will aim at the '60-60' in the future.
The baseball genius who lived in a different dimension recognized another 'baseball monster'. Suzuki Ichiro (51), whom Ohtani longed for, was summoned along with the achievement of '50-50'.
Ichiro's retirement press conference at Tokyo Dome on March 21, 2019. Ichiro, who came to Japan for the Seattle Mariners' retirement game, said when Ohtani came out, "If I win 20 games as a pitcher and hit 50 home runs next season and become MVP, I will hear a monster sound. Players who can make this imagination come true are
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It sounded a little over-the-top lip service. Even in a good way, it was like a pep talk for a junior.
Ohtani, who moved to the Los Angeles Angels in 2018, won the American League Rookie of the Year award by drawing attention with 'Idolryu'. In his Major League debut season, he played in 10 ⅔ as a pitcher, recording a batting average of 285-93 hits, 22 home runs, 61 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.925, with a 4-2 record in 51 ⅔ innings, 3.31 ERA, and 104 games as a batter.
It is a great achievement, but it seemed unreasonable to connect with 20 wins and 50 home runs in a season. There were many experts who looked skeptical of the double play. Most Japanese legendary baseball players advised "You can succeed only if you focus on either the pitcher or the batter.' I was worried about the burden of physical strength and the risk of injury. We expected that even if we tried to 'degenerate', we would choose one at some point. There were many who highly evaluated the possibility of being a batter.
But Ichiro was different. He took a deeper look at Ohtani, who finished his first season in the major leagues. Ichiro's expectations have been realized in six years. 오타
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Ohtani, who had surgery on his right elbow late last year, is playing as the designated hitter this season. After the injury rehabilitation ends next year, he will return to 'Idolryu'. Ichiro's words '20 wins - winning the Cy Young Award' may become a reality. 15 wins (9 losses, 2.33 ERA) in 2022 is Ohtani's most wins in a season. Last season, he pitched in 23 games and recorded 10 wins (5 losses, 3.14).
Ichiro and Ohtani played together in the Major League only one season in 2018. Ichiro, who transferred from Miami to the Seattle Mariners in 2018, played in 15 games in his final season. Seattle and the Los Angeles Angels are part of the same American League West.
To Ohtani, Ichiro is more like a teacher than a senior he longed for. Japanese sports magazine Sports Nippon reported that Ohtani has eaten with Ichiro several times since he played for Nippon Ham. Ichiro also highly valued Ohtani's batting talent at the time.
Ohtani visited Ichiro's house ahead of his major league debut in 2018 and listened to advice on hitting. In other words, Ichiro contributed in some way to achieving the milestone.
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Ichiro, who topped the Orix Blue Wave for seven consecutive years, moved to Seattle in 2001 with a batting average of 35-242 hits-56 steals. In his first year in the Major League, he won the Rookie of the Year and the American League MVP at the same time. It happened when Ohtani was seven years old.
Ichiro has posted a batting average of .30-200 hits for 10 consecutive years since 2001. He hit 262 hits in 2004, setting a new record for the most hits in a major league season. Prior to Ohtani, Ichiro was a baseball cartoon character.
On the 20th, Ohtani posted a video of his 50th home run on his personal SNS account in English 'Thank you, baseball fans'
Meanwhile, Japanese media, including sports magazine Sports Nippon, issued extra editions on the same day.
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huelva@sportschosun.com
