Ohtani Comes To America is a podcast following the baseball two-way player Shohei Ohtani, who came to the MLB from Japan as a pitcher and hitter.
Ohtani is playing in his seventh MLB season, his first with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Hosted by Kevin De Los Santos and Jack Sommer.
Listen and follow on Apple or Spotify.
You can also subscribe to our Ohtani newsletter for weekly updates.
FAQ and Timeline of episodes, with photos, below.
FAQ
Who is Shohei Ohtani?
A 29-year-old baseball player from Japan who came over to the United States to play in Major League Baseball (MLB).
How long has Ohtani been playing baseball in the US?
His first MLB season was in 2018, so he is entering his seventh season for 2024.
Why is there a whole podcast about one player?
A two-way player, especially who’s an All-Star on both levels, hasn’t been seen for a century since Babe Ruth.
However, even that comparison only scratches the surface. There has never been a player like Ohtani.
What else is on this page?
This lists, from newest to oldest, the episodes we’ve done for the podcast – including photos to accompany!
His first year we did a weekly podcast to document that special time.
Since then, we do episodes after bigger moments or when enough has accumulated.
Do you do episodes after every start or game?
We only do occasional episodes after more has built up or at important moments.
And it’s more about the larger conversations looking at stretches of time.
However, we do a newsletter to give the more frequent updates outside of the podcast.
2024
It’s been a crazy offseason for Ohtani this year. Signing his $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency wasn’t the end of it. Aside from normal Spring Training ramping back up after his procedure, some other developments came up. On the positive side, Ohtani announced he was newly married to Mamiko Tanaka, who has been a Japanese basketball player in recent years. On the negative side, a gambling scandal emerged around his former right hand man – interpreter Ippei Mizuhara – which Ippei involved Ohtani in by reportedly lying about knowledge and involvement to it. Jack and Kev talk about the latest developments with the marriage and Ippei, as well as giving a little preview to the Dodgers’ year ahead. Ohtani’s seventh MLB season has officially begun.
Ohtani has reported to Spring Training and is beginning a new journey to prepare for the start of the 2024 season. While the Dodgers were always a top contender and obvious destination in free agency, what if Ohtani had chosen somewhere else? Kev and Jack look through specific lenses – the uniforms, locations, stadiums, and competitiveness – at the 29 other MLB teams in the league.
2023
After getting more details about the $700 million contract that Ohtani signed with the Dodgers, perceptions around the deal shifted. While it was a 10-year contract to play for the team, $680 million of that will be deferred until after it finishes. For the next 10 years, Ohtani will make $2 million per year – which is the number that got headlines. However, for the Dodgers’ luxury tax purposes (aka how competitive they can be), Ohtani will still be measured against that as $46 million per year based on MLB’s system. Essentially, he’s still the highest value player in the league and does take up a lot of room on the team payroll. Jack and Kev talk about how this changes their opinion on the deal, the Dodgers’ press conference, Ohtani’s dog name reveal, and more.
The big decision of free agency is done. Ohtani is staying in Southern California, but with the Los Angeles Dodgers as his next team. The contract is the biggest in sports history, $700 million for 10 years.
After reporters had complained about it being too quiet and private a process for the sport, Friday included thousands of people tracking a flight to Toronto – and even Drake posting on Stories – before Ohtani shared his decision in an Instagram post the next day. Kev and Jack give their initial reactions, talk through the Dodgers team choice, and the frenzy that led to it.
After winning the MVP in 2021 and falling second in 2022 to Aaron Judge’s record-breaking performance, Ohtani’s performance this year earned him a second unanimous MVP award win. Announced in mid-November, the next day a ESPN Films documentary was released – “Shohei Ohtani: Beyond The Dream” – about his journey from Japan to the U.S. and his unique vision to make it happen. Jack and Kev talk about how this MVP win impacts the future discussion and initial reactions to the documentary.
After being shut down from pitching at the end of August, the rest of Ohtani's season also wrapped up earlier into September than expected. From an oblique injury that kept him as day-to-day, to then finally getting his elbow repair surgery (not full Tommy John), the decision was made that it was best for him to just heal at this point. Kev and Jack talk about the strange end to the season, as he finally finishes his contract with the Angels.
Ohtani was announced to have a UCL tear (in his elbow), which has stopped him from pitching for the rest of the season. And, depending if he gets Tommy John surgery again, could keep him from throwing next year as well. He’s still hitting for now, and could still do that most of 2024 as well, but there’s a lot more questions now overall around the future of Ohtani’s on-the-field play – let alone how this will all impact his upcoming free agency and the contract he’ll be signing. Meanwhile, the Angels completely blew it after the trade deadline and fell apart. Jack and Kev talk about what it all might mean for Ohtani.
While the Angels said they were listening to trade offers, Ohtani seemed to never really be close to getting moved by the team. So he'll remain in Anaheim through the end of the season before free agency. Instead, the Angels brought in a few new players to help supplement their push for the playoffs. Kev and Jack do a quick recap of the last couple weeks since the All-Star Break, from the trade deadline period to Ohtani's incredible two-way doubleheader performance in Detroit.
June turned out to be one of the best months of Ohtani’s career, hitting 15 homers in 30 days and having some impressive pitching starts. While he is currently dealing with a cracked fingernail that impacted his last couple starts before the break, hopefully that will not continue to linger. In the meantime, Ohtani seemed to enjoy the All-Star Game in Seattle – easily making the team with his performance and popularity. However, the Angels have fallen just under .500 again after a slew of injuries. Is there any chance they trade him before the August 1st trade deadline? Or will they try to stay in the wild card hunt for a playoff spot? Ohtani will have no say in it until he’s a free agent after the season, but in the meantime he’s handling business. The question for him is: can he really chase the AL home run record that Aaron Judge broke last year?
It’s a big year for Ohtani, as no longer after this season will he be committed to the Angels anymore. No more contract, and so far there’s been no real talks of him re-signing. So the pressure is on the Angels to win, and Ohtani wants to just as bad as ever – if not more, given he’s coming off leading Japan to victory in the World Baseball Classic only a few months ago. And now his opponent for that last championship out, Mike Trout, is back on his team again. However, Trout and Ohtani can only do so much on their own. Have the Angels improved enough to become a playoff contender? Or are they just a .500 team, as they’ve been for almost a decade now. Kev and Jack discuss Ohtani’s performance on both sides so far, how the Angels are looking, and how this all may impact his free agency.
The winner of this year's World Baseball Classic all came down to the matchup everyone had been dreaming of: Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout. Little did we know it would be as perfect as could be, happening in the last out of the last game with the tying run at the plate. But just like with this podcast, Ohtani was the star. He struck out Trout to win Japan the WBC title, beating Team USA on their own turf. During the whole run of the tournament, Ohtani was unstoppable on both sides, earning him the MVP award for the tourney. Jack and Kev recap how the tournament went from start to finish, what was different about him playing for Japan, and discuss how the new MLB rules will impact Ohtani in his upcoming contract year before free agency.
After a brief pitstop in Spring Training, Ohtani’s heading to the World Baseball Classic (WBC). It’s an international tournament akin to the World Cup – except for baseball, and not anywhere near as big around the world. However, in Japan, it is huge deal. This will be the first time Ohtani will play to represent his home country on this big stage, and he seems very excited to do so. Kev and Jack talk about some history of the tournament, Japan’s success so far, how they’re looking this year, and more to preview the 2023 WBC.
2022
In the postseason award announcements, Ohtani took 2nd place in the AL MVP race to slugger Aaron Judge for the 2022 season. It wasn't much of a surprise, considering the historic 62-homer show that Judge put on this year. But while Ohtani ended up only receiving two of the 30 first place votes, arguments could easily be made for both sides. Jack and Kev break down how the seasons compared, how "Most Valuable" is a subjective and purposely vague measurement, and debate who the true winner should be.
It was a great year for Ohtani on a personal level, but once again no playoff baseball after a losing season from the Angels team. The second half of the season since the last episode at the All Star break mirrored that, as the Angels didn't do well under Phil Nevin taking over as manager mid-year. There is some positive development as owner Arte Moreno is finding a buyer to take the team off his hands. Meanwhile, Ohtani had a major improvement on the pitching side this year and still put up strong hitting numbers while doing it – becoming the first player ever to have 30+ home runs and 200+ strikeouts in the same season. Kev and Jack take a deep dive on his performance for the season overall, securing the $30M arbitration bag, and what the future may hold for the last year of his contract with the team.
The All-Star Break brings us around the midway mark of the year. It took a little bit for Ohtani to warm up this season, but now he's continued to heat up as summer came into the air. Jack and Kev talk about his latest stretch of dominant pitching, how his streaky bat's been, more records he's breaking, and Shohei's time at the ASB. Then, a venting session on the dumpster fire that is the Angels season with a strong start, 14-game losing streak, firing of Joe Maddon, and big brawl with the Mariners that made things worse.
After an unusual offseason for baseball with the lockout, Opening Day is back and Ohtani will take the mound tomorrow for his official pitching and hitting return. Kev and Jack talk about the new “Ohtani rule” that came out of the lockout, the GQ Cover story, Ohtani being the cover star for the MLB The Show ’22 video game, his Spring Training, and predictions for his numbers this year. Plus, how the Angels did in the offseason and where Ohtani’s teammates stand to start the year.
2021
With the playoffs and World Series over, it's time for baseball awards. Of course, they saved the most important one until the end, but it was worth the wait... Shohei Ohtani is your unanimous 2021 Most Valuable Player! He’s the first to get all the top place votes since Mike Trout almost a decade ago, and only a dozen or so players to ever to do it. Jack and Kev give their instant reactions to the MVP announcement with recording right after it happened and discuss some other offseason tidbits. Plus, what free agents the Angels might want to go after both on and off the mound.
The regular season is over and, as usual, the Angels did not make the playoffs or come close. While the second half of the year after the All-Star Break was quieter than the beginning for Ohtani, he still kept up the two-way play. It looks like he’ll be in line for the MVP, when those awards are given out in November (which we’ll be doing another episode for). In the meantime, Kev and Jack go over how Ohtani did for the year and what takeaways there are. Plus, the bright and dark spots of the Angels season in general. Even Ohtani’s best season yet was only so much help.
We’re at the break of an incredible first half for Ohtani where he’s leading the league in home runs, up there in Cy Young contention, and is giving us “Shotime” night in and night out – both on and off the mound. There’s been no bigger stage, however, then this past All-Star week. Ohtani participated in the Home Run derby, and then the next day was the leadoff hitter and starting pitcher in the All-Star game. He was the center of attention, rightfully so, and has been the overall star of the season. Jack and Kev break down his numbers so far, how they felt about the HR derby and ASG, and the current State of Shohei.
Now a three-way player sensation with making appearances in the outfield, Shohei Ohtani has taken the start of the 2021 baseball season by storm. Both his pitching on the mound and hitting at the plate have been exceptional, and this is the window of Shotime that we’ve been waiting for since he came to the MLB in 2018. Kev and Jack discuss how it’s all unfolded so far, notable moments, his current stats, and what might be on the horizon. Plus, a brief recap on the Angels current status and letting Albert Pujols go from the team.
Opening Day is here again and the excitement has been noticeably increasing for Shohei Ohtani having a successful year as a two-way player on the mound and at the plate. After an impressive Spring Training on both ends, including some dingers, even the doubters and haters are starting to change their mind. Jack and Kev discuss the offseason, what he did in the Cactus League this March, and how it’s looking for him and the Angels heading into a full regular 162 game slate following the shortened 60 game season of last year.
2020
It was a slow and torturous rest of the season to be a fan of Ohtani, even though he was finally able to just focus only on hitting after stopping pitching for his forearm strain. It turned out not to be a good year for him on either side of the baseball. Plus, the Angels once again didn’t make the playoffs (goodbye Billy Eppler), even though they almost snuck in over the Astros at the end. It’s going to be a long offseason.
Two weeks into the covid season, we have injury news. Ohtani is off the pitching mound for the season, although luckily he will still be able to keep hitting in games. Deja vu is real because it feels just like 2018. Jack and Kev discuss what this news means, how Ohtani’s season had been going before this happened, and what it means for the rest of the year. Plus, the biggest question of all: how does this impact the idea of Ohtani continuing to pursue being a two-way player in the future? Also, as usual, an Angels update with their chances of making the playoffs at the moment. Shoutout to Trout on the new baby!
After the longest offseason of all time, baseball is finally back! With the global pandemic of coronavirus, it’s going to be a strange limited season of 60 games. Ohtani is coming off left knee surgery from last September, and has also been finishing rehabbing from Tommy John surgery from Fall 2018. So while last year he didn’t pitch because of the TJ, he will be back to his two-way player status this year.
In this return episode to kick off Ohtani’s third season playing in America, hosts Kev and Jack look at what’s to come. What might this season be like for him? And how will the Angels do after hiring a new legendary manager (Joe Maddon) or signing a superstar third baseman (Anthony Rendon)? Do they have a chance in this limited season?
2019
Ohtani's season ended a couple weeks ago, but the Angels just wrapped up their regular season (with no playoffs ahead of them). We talk about some minor updates about the knee surgery Ohtani had a couple weeks ago and then take a step back to look at how his sophomore season went overall in 2019 as a one-way player.
Then we do a speed round of the Angels overall season, the freshly announced firing of manager Brad Ausmus after only one year (and rumors of Joe Maddon being hired in his place), as well as our suggestions for upcoming free agents that Billy Eppler should pursue in the offseason to fill spots they need.
There was breaking news on Thursday, out of nowhere, that Ohtani was going to have season-ending knee surgery the next day on Friday (we were as shocked to hear as you are). With no indication of this throughout the year, this was an unfortunate way to end the year. But we look at why it actually may not be the worst situation and the positive side of his recovery to come leading up to next season.
Additionally, we give an update on the Angels season (officially out of wild card race, other injuries, Mike Trout to likely be MVP, and Tyler Skaggs further aftermath).
The All-Star break happened this week. After a few days off, today marks the 2nd half of the season beginning. We talk about how Ohtani's done so far since coming back in early May, hitting for the cycle, getting a dinger on his 25th birthday, MLB not even offering him an invite to participate in the Home Run Derby this year, and more. Also, we talk about the latest updates with the Angels and look at the tragic passing of Angels pitcher, Tyler Skaggs, who died on July 1st at 27 years young and was a key part of their team and helped Ohtani with his transition to the U.S.
In a historic first MLB matchup in America between Yusei Kikuchi and Shohei Ohtani, two young baseball stars from Japan from the same region and high school, the two faced off for the first time in an MLB game. Being that Ohtani is only hitting this year, it was strictly a pitcher (Kikuchi) vs. hitter (Ohtani) matchup. The bats won the battle by a landslide, as did the Angels overall. They destroyed Kikuchi. We talk about the details of the game, as well as Ohtani's first month back after returning to playing following getting Tommy John surgery in the offseason. Plus, how the Angels have been doing so far in their first couple months.
THE BOY IS BACK! Finally, Ohtani was activated to play again this week. We talk about what that means, how he did in his first series back, predictions for this season from here on, how the Angels are doing, and other Shohei related news.
We're back for a special offseason recap as Spring Training ends and Opening Day is here with the baseball season officially at its start for 2019. This episode breaks down Ohtani winning Rookie Of The Year, the current status of his arm following his Tommy John surgery and his workouts.
We also touch on Angels news with pickups and the big Mike Trout contract, and the retirement of Ohtani's idol Ichiro Suzuki.
Ohtani is scheduled to come back in May!
2018
Exactly 100 years ago in 1918, Babe Ruth gave his case for a two-way player. Now, a century later, Shohei Ohtani challenged that. We discuss comparisons between the two players and the two periods of baseball, including their close stat lines and random overall connections.
As Yankees fans ourselves, but also Ohtani supporters, we get into a debate with each other about who should win the 2018 Rookie Of The Year award. Should it be Ohtani or the Yankees own Miguel Andujar? We each take sides and make our cases for who should take the crown.
Recap of the entire rookie season for Ohtani, going back all the way to when the news first broke a year ago of his decision to come to America at the end of 2017. We go through the key events and dates throughout, and what it meant to the bigger picture. Additionally, we mention some newly learned insight from the man himself on his reflections of the year.
Regular season comes to a big conclusion - Ohtani confirms he's getting Tommy John surgery immediately after this last week of games, Mike Scioscia announces he won't be returning as manager for the Angels next year (after 19 years), the discovery is made of Ohtani's spanish singing skills (Despacito!), he talks his final thoughts on the season, and we recap this week's series games against the Texas Rangers and Oakland A's.
Rough and terrible week for both Ohtani and the Angels. Not anything to do with more injuries to Ohtani, but he's in a hitting slump right now and the team (aside from Mike Trout) is not playing well - including their worst loss of all time. We also discuss Ichiro's new ideas for Ohtani to try for his career, the $150K rookie card auction buy, and in general the road trip games against the Oakland A's and Houston Astros.
We went to a game this week against the Seattle Mariners so we discussed that, Trout and Ohtani having back-to-back dingers, winning the AL Player Of The Week award, his interview with MLB Network, joining Babe Ruth on another record with his 20th home run, Troutani vs. Uptani nicknames, his translator Ippei Mizuhara, and the other series earlier this week against the Texas Rangers.
The dreaded surgery recommendation comes in for Ohtani to get the infamous Tommy John operation on his arm. We break down what it means for both his pitching (not back until at least 2020) and batting (could be hitting all next season!). We also discuss Ohtani firing back at the plate while he continues to DH for the rest of the season, especially on the day of hearing the news, and the series games this week against the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox.
A big controversial week as Ohtani makes his pitching return against the Houston Astros, defending World Series champions and current AL West division leaders, in a nationally televised ESPN game. Kev and Jack discuss their opinions on the Angels bringing him back at this time, how the pitching start went, and what we can take away from it.
We also talk about the season-ending surgery of Albert Pujols and what that means for Ohtani and the DH hitting role, as well as the series against the Colorado Rockies that started the week.
Facing real hitters in simulation games, Players Weekend ("Showtime"), Trout returns to the team, 80's night at Angels Stadium, Maldonado reunion, Justin Verlander matchup, conflict with batters getting hit, and the overall series games against the Arizona Diamondbacks and Houston Astros.
More bullpen pitching sessions this week, a major dinger, helping out as a pinch hitter, fun with teammates (handshakes, learning languages, LLWS, Dele Alli challenge), and the series games against the San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers.
We talk about Ohtani's drill of throwing towels (for pitching), his important bullpen session over the weekend, hitting a HR for Trout's birthday, and the Angels series matchups against the Detroit Tigers and Oakland A's.
First on-the-road home runs for Ohtani in a career-best game against his favorite team, the latest stats comparing to Babe Ruth, losing Ian Kinsler but keeping Scioscia, the $100K Ohtani rookie card, and the Angels games against the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Indians.
Maldonado traded to the Astros (Ohtani's bestie & catcher), Arcia comes to the majors and becomes a quick dangerous friend, new info on how Simmons and Ohtani bonded while injured, the back and forth on the DH spot with Pujols, Ohtani being moved up in the lineup, and Vladimir Guerrero enters the Hall of Fame. Plus this week's games against the Chicago White Sox and Seattle Mariners (yes, the Mariners again).
He’s cleared to start throwing again! We talk the positive new updates on Ohtani's pitching arm, when to expect him to pitch in actual games, and what it all means going forward. Plus Ohtani's All-Star Week away from D.C's festivities, his level of fashion game according to Mike Trout, and the weekend series against the Houston Astros.
Second week hitting again (after coming off DL), games with Mariners and Dodgers, the unusual double Ohtani bobblehead, and our initial thoughts on the upcoming All Star week.
Ohtani finally comes back from the DL to hit again (no pitching yet), right in time for the July 4th holiday and Ohtani's 24th birthday on July 5th. Also, he has a Kirk Gibson moment against the Dodgers.
First we give an injury update (Ohtani cleared to hit!) and then we talk about his relationship with The Press, in particular the massive amount of Japanese reporters covering him this season.
The ways that Japan's NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) is both similar and different to America's MLB (Major League Baseball) in rules and styles of play. Additionally, an update on the status of Ohtani's injury evaluation.
Best friends duo of Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, as well as why The Sandlot has to be Ohtani's favorite movie. (Currently Ohtani is still on the DL through the end of June)
Ohtani gets placed on the DL for 3 weeks with a Grade 2 UCL sprain injury. We talk about what that means for Ohtani, for the Angels, and for baseball. Including the Tommy John surgery possibility, All Star voting, Rookie Of The Year battle, and the Angels race for the second AL wild card spot with the Mariners.
News from the Angels team of Ohtani's knowledge of the Spanish language moving quicker than English, our theory of his possible new obsession coming up with 'Friends' re-runs, the discussion of Ohtani officially being listed as a DH on the 2018 All Star ballot, and how the week of games went vs the Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers.
We discuss this week's big matchup vs. the Yankees and what Ohtani has in common with two Yankees players - fellow Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (who he was originally going to pitch against, but instead hit against) and fellow Rookie of the Year candidate Gleyber Torres. Also, we discuss the hypothetical story of Ohtani going to Drake's studio while the Angels were playing the Toronto Blue Jays.
Ohtani's week against the Astros and Rays, whether he should play in the Home Run Derby or not (if given the chance), and our ideal scenario for when he pitches against the Yankees this upcoming week.
Ohtani plays in his first NL stadium and gets his first pinch hit against the Rockies in Coors Field, has a great start with 11 strikeouts at home against the Twins, and gets a big compliment from one of the league's big trash talkers.
We talk about the Ichiro matchup vs Ohtani that the world was so close to seeing, their similarities as Japanese superstar players coming to the U.S, the connection with Ohtani's teammate Albert Pujols, and more of Ohtani's week returning after his mild ankle injury from the week prior.
We give the compact rundown on how Ohtani did in Spring Training and his first month playing Major League Baseball in the U.S.
All the history you need to know about Ohtani's baseball career in Japan before he made the switch to Major League Baseball in America.
Jack and Kev talk about what the podcast will be about, the basics of Shohei Ohtani for those who don't know, and a general brief introduction.
