Shohei “Idoryu” Ohtani (29-LA Angels) became the first player in the American League to reach the 20-homer plateau this season, but it was his “flip” (bat flip) that drew as much attention as the result.
The Japanese publication The Digest reported on Sept. 13 (KST) that “the American media was thrilled with the spectacular bat flip performed by the Japanese talent (Ohtani).”
On the same day, Ohtani started as the team’s No. 2 designated hitter in the 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, and went 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs.메이저사이트
In addition to his multi-homer game, Ohtani’s long ball was nutritious. In the top of the seventh inning, with his team trailing 4-5, he tied the game with a solo home run in the middle of the inning. Then, after the game went into extra innings, he blasted a two-run homer over the left field fence in the top of the 12th. The Angels held on for a 9-6 victory over Texas, thanks in large part to Ohtani’s cannon at the plate.
Shohei Ohtani, center, celebrates with his cap after hitting a home run in the seventh inning against Texas on Wednesday. /AFPBBNews=News1
The home run in the seventh inning was particularly memorable. After completing his at-bat, Ohtani walked slowly, looking at the pitch as if he had intuited a home run. He then performed a bat flip, throwing the bat to the side. As he predicted, the ball traveled a whopping 459 feet (about 140 meters) and landed in the stands – a giant home run.
It also caused a stir in the United States. Baseball commentator Ben Verlander, Justin Verlander’s younger brother, shared a video of Ohtani’s bat flip on social media, calling it a “really exciting fastball”. “I’ve been watching the home run and the bat flip to tie the game over and over again,” he said.
Sports media outlet The Athletic also expressed its admiration on its official social media, saying, “Look at his game-tying home run and bat flip that went 459 feet over the top.”
The home run was Ohtani’s 20th of the season. No other player in the major leagues has more than 20, except for Pete Alonso (New York Mets), who has 22. It’s the third straight year he’s reached the 20-homer plateau, and he’s moved past fellow MVP contender Aaron Judge (New York Yankees, 19) to lead the league in home runs.