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President Mark Shapiro on Blue Jays' Ohtani Pursuit and Post-Chase Reflections
Photo credit: sportsnet
President of the Blue Jays Mark Shapiro recounts his struggle with attempting to acquire the renowned pitcher, Shohei Ohtani.
Shapiro, although sceptical, was believed to be confident enough in the journey that is signing on one of the most coveted players in Major League Baseball. During a recent spring training interview, Shapiro gives insight on his thought process on how he met Ohtani in December, and tried to strike a deal.
"As far as the excitement goes, there were moments, particularly when he was here in this facility that you started to (believe that) 'well, this kind of feels like it could really happen..." said Shapiro. "Up until the last night I never said this guy's coming. I just don't do that. It's not my nature. A deal is not done until the deal is done."
The Jays president continued to recount his feelings about the situation involving Ohtani; "It was cool on a couple levels... It was exciting to see how engaged he was about the city and how clear his understanding was about the meaning of playing for a country. It wasn't just the anecdotal 'you guys represent a country.' It was like this guy had walked around Toronto. He knew neighbourhoods he had spent time. He was thoughtful. He appreciated what was unique about Toronto, the same things that we all feel are unique."
As rumours about this meeting went wild, fans started to believe in the possible dream-like outcome as Ohtani has gone on record about his interest and love for Toronto.
"He appreciated the diversity, the international nature, the progressiveness. He appreciated the safety, some of the differentiation from big American cities. He was specifically recognizing those things. So from a point of pride from someone else that chose to come there nine years ago and what it has meant to me, it was cool to see a player like him recognize that and genuinely place us at the front of the process."
Shohei Ohtani, a phenom in the world of baseball, has redefined the modern game with his unparalleled ability to excel as both a pitcher and a hitter. Since joining Major League Baseball, Ohtani has captivated fans and players alike with his remarkable talent, earning the nickname "Sho-Time" for his show-stopping performances on the mound and at the plate.
His unique skill set has not only made him a pivotal player for the Los Angeles Angels (now Dodgers) but also a global icon in the sport, challenging traditional roles within baseball and inspiring a new generation of players. Ohtani's dual-threat presence brings an extraordinary level of excitement and versatility to the game, marking him as one of the most dynamic and impactful players in baseball history.
Ohtani had an incredible most recent season. As a hitter, he had a batting average of .184 with 18 home runs. On the pitching side, Ohtani showcased his pitching talent with a 3.14 ERA, 167 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.06.
As wanted as this show-stopper is, unfortunately the Jays will have to count him as the one that got away, as this year Ohtani will be pitching for the Dodgers. Although fans will be wishing him luck, it will be tough to get the thought out of Blue Jays Fans and President's head of Shohei Ohtani on the mound wearing a Toronto Jersey.
| POLL | ||
MARS 21 | 72 ANSWERS President Mark Shapiro on Blue Jays' Ohtani Pursuit and Post-Chase Reflections Are you going to be watching Ohtani inevitably dominate the league this year? | ||
| Yes | 17 | 23.6 % |
| No | 55 | 76.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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