Javier Báez agreed to bring his high motor to the Motor City, while other teams around the majors raced to finish up business before Tuesday’s deadline to tender contracts and a likely roster freeze coming when baseball's collective bargaining agreement expires Wednesday.
In the National League, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper won his second MVP honor. He becomes the second player born in Japan to win the award, joining the Mariners’ Ichiro Suzuki (2001). Ohtani is the fourth Angel to be named MVP joining Don Baylor (1979), Vladimir Guerrero (2004) and Trout (2014, 2016 and 2019). He’s the first son of a former MVP winner to receive an MVP vote. Harper is the 12th player to win NL MVP more than once.
mlive.comFor most observers, the American League MVP race was wrapped up in about June. Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani was doing things that had never been done before, and the MVP race was his to lose. When I did start crunching the numbers, the evidence was overwhelming: Shohei Ohtani is the clear-cut MVP. But much like my vote last year for the AL Cy Young, all of the tough decisions were down the ballot. It was a historic season by Ohtani for which I have no qualms about honoring him with the league’s most prestigious award.
mlive.comEven Shohei Ohtani, arguably the best player in the major leagues, feels down at times, particularly when his team isn't winning. Sharing his mental state was among the few small nuggets Ohtani revealed in an hour-long interview on Monday at the Japan National Press Club. Ohtani is under contract for next season at $5.5 million, which will be his highest annual salary thus far.
news.yahoo.comShohei Ohtani sparked a four-run sixth-inning rally with his legs, and the Los Angeles Angels beat Texas 7-2 on Wednesday night to send the Rangers to their first 100-loss season since 1973. With the score 2-2, Ohtani led off the sixth with a sharp grounder to first baseman Nathaniel Lowe and beat pitcher Taylor Hearn to the bag. Ohtani stole second, continued to third on a throwing error by catcher Jose Trevino and came home when Jack Mayfield singled through a drawn-in infield.
news.yahoo.comShohei Ohtani has thrown his final pitch this season for the Los Angeles Angels, and the two-way All-Star will focus on his at-bats in the final few games. “There’s really nothing left to prove on the mound,” manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday. Ohtani then went out and set another offensive milestone, becoming the first American League player with at least 100 runs scored, 45 homers and 25 stolen bases in the same season, after he went 2 for 5 with a run and two stolen bases in a 7-2 victory at Texas on Wednesday night.
news.yahoo.comHighlights of this day in history: Germany annexes Czechoslovakia's Sudetenland region; America returns to manned spaceflight for the first time since the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster; Pope John Paul the First is found dead in his Vatican apartment. (Sept. 29)
news.yahoo.com"This is the tip of the iceberg," says the spokesperson of a shelter in Monterrey, northern Mexico, as increasing numbers of migrants -- mainly Haitians -- arrive in the area after the dismantling of camps near the border with the United States.
news.yahoo.comShohei Ohtani pitched seven innings of one-run ball in his final game at Angel Stadium this season, striking out 10 Mariners amid the serenades of “M-V-P!” that have been the soundtrack to his summer. When the Angels' bullpen took over, its first two relievers swiftly surrendered four runs to playoff-contending Seattle in a 5-1 loss. Heading into the final week, Ohtani has 45 homers and 98 RBIs as a designated hitter along with a 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts on the mound.
news.yahoo.comShohei Ohtani tripled in his first two at-bats and the Los Angeles Angels routed Seattle 14-1 on Saturday night, ending the Mariners’ six-game winning streak and damaging their playoff chances. Jhonathan Diaz pitched seven strong innings in relief and the Angels scored eight runs in the third as Seattle dropped three games out in the AL wild-card chase with seven to play. Ohtani scored two runs and had three RBIs to raise his season total to 98.
news.yahoo.comThis time, the calls went Shohei Ohtani's way. Ohtani came home on Jack Mayfield's two-run double Thursday night and the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Houston Astros 3-2 to snap a six-game losing streak. The two-way star from Japan tried to score the winning run during Wednesday's 9-5 loss to Houston in 12 innings, but was called out after a perfect throw from right fielder Chas McCormick.
news.yahoo.comShohei Ohtani's latest majestic homer wasn't nearly enough to turn back the Houston Astros as they steamroll toward another AL West title. Ohtani hit his 45th homer in the eighth inning, but Aledmys Díaz and Kyle Tucker hit back-to-back homers and drove in three runs apiece while leading the Astros to a 10-5 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night. Ohtani connected for his first homer since Sept. 10, driving a solo shot off Houston’s Cristian Javier 445 feet into the elevated right field stands at the Big A.
news.yahoo.comShohei Ohtani struck out 10 but went winless in consecutive starts on the mound for the first time since June, and the Oakland Athletics rebounded from a bullpen meltdown to beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-2 in 10 innings Sunday. Jed Lowie hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the 10th off Raisel Iglesias (7-5), and Oakland won its fifth straight to remain within two games of Toronto for the second AL wild card. The A’s closed within a half-game of the New York Yankees.
news.yahoo.comChicago White Sox pitcher Mike Wright was suspended for three games and manager Tony La Russa for one on Saturday by Major League Baseball, which concluded Wright intentionally threw at the Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani. Wright appealed the suspension issued by Michael Hill, the former Marlins general manager who is MLB’s senior vice president for on-field operations.
news.yahoo.comShohei Ohtani hit his major league-leading 44th home run, but got tagged early by José Altuve, Alex Bregman and the Houston Astros in a 10-5 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night. Ohtani (9-2) had been 8-0 in his last 13 starts since May 28, and gave himself a lead when he hit a solo homer in the first inning. “I feel like they were sitting on my cutters and sliders for the most part,” Ohtani said through a translator.
news.yahoo.comDETROIT -- Hall-of-Famer Jack Morris returned to the Detroit Tigers broadcast booth Friday after a three-week suspension for remarks about Angels star Shohei Ohtani. He addressed his absence and his return on the Bally Sports Detroit pregame show prior to the Tigers’ series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. Morris said he wanted to read from a statement and acknowledged that he had worked with a bias training group during his suspension. “My words are important, and I’d like to read my statement to all of you,” he began. I understand now that it was perceived that way by many, and I’m truly, truly sorry.
mlive.comBo Bichette thumped a leadoff homer in the first inning and singled in the tiebreaking run in the seventh, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 42nd homer, and the Toronto Blue Jays held off the skidding New York Yankees 6-4 for their eighth straight win.
Jack Morris is coming back to the Detroit Tigers broadcast booth. “The Detroit Tigers take immense pride in honoring the diverse cultures that make up our players, coaching staff, front office, fan base and community,” the Tigers said in a statement when Morris’ suspension was announced. “We are deeply disappointed by the comments made by Jack Morris during the broadcast last night. Hinch, when asked about the situation following Morris’ suspension, said he supported the stance of the organization and Bally Sports Detroit. This sport is arguably the most diverse sport, certainly of all the four major sports here in the U.S., and it should be celebrated.
mlive.comShohei Ohtani hit his major league-leading 43rd home run and Jose Suarez pitched a five-hitter, leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 4-1 win over the Texas Rangers on Saturday night. Ohtani connected for a three-run homer in the sixth inning, a 426-foot drive to right field to a chorus of “MVP!” chants. Ohtani needs four more homers to match the franchise record of 47 set by Troy Glaus in 2000.
news.yahoo.comShohei Ohtani's outing almost met an early end when he was struck by a comebacker in the first inning. Ohtani allowed two runs, struck out eight and fired 117 pitches in seven innings as the Los Angeles Angels beat the Texas Rangers 3-2 Friday night. The Japanese two-way star — who leads the majors with 42 homers — originally was supposed to start on Tuesday against the New York Yankees, but that was pushed back a couple of days after he was hit in the right hand by a pitch last Saturday against San Diego.
news.yahoo.comShohei Ohtani has received plenty of attention for his home runs, but the Los Angeles Angels have also been getting power lately from a most unlikely source. While Ohtani hit his major-league leading 42nd home run Monday night, Jack Mayfield connected for his first career grand slam as the Angels were able to defeat the New York Yankees 8-7. Ohtani and Mayfield are tied for the team lead with nine home runs since the All-Star break.
news.yahoo.comJared Walsh homered and drove in three runs, Justin Upton got his 1,000th RBI and the Los Angeles Angels snapped their three-game skid with a 10-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Saturday night. Shohei Ohtani stole second to became the first player in team history with 40 homers and 20 steals in a season for the Angels, who won for only the second time in eight games. Ohtani went 0 for 4 for the second straight night, but the two-way superstar walked and promptly stole second in the fifth to join the 40/20 club.
news.yahoo.comDETROIT -- No one wants to be on the wrong side of a historic highlight, but Los Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani said he wouldn’t have minded the distinction. “Obviously he’s a great hitter and one of the greatest of all-time,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. He’s so respected in the baseball world, it would’ve been OK if I gave up his 500th homer. Cabrera is 15-for-46 (.326) with five doubles and two home runs in his career against Angels starting pitcher Jose Quintana. said that he’s eager for Cabrera to reach 500, but there are other ways to have success.
mlive.comDETROIT – Shohei Ohtani lived up the hype as the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Detroit Tigers, 3-1, at Comerica Park on Wednesday night. Detroit Tigers first baseman and designated hitter Miguel Cabrera hit his 2,952nd career hit in the first inning. Los Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) throws a pitch during their MLB game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit, on Wednesday, August 18, 2021. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.comYoung fans hold up signs in Japanese for Los Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani during their MLB game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit, on Wednesday, August 18, 2021. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.comLos Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after striking out during their MLB game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit, on Wednesday, August 18, 2021.
mlive.comDETROIT -- Shohei Ohtani hit a towering 430-foot home run and pitched eight strong innings as the Los Angeles Angels beat the Detroit Tigers 3-1 on Wednesday night at Comerica Park. The Angels (61-61) and Tigers (58-64) meet for the series finale on Thursday afternoon. Ohtani’s outing overshadowed an excellent night by Tigers starter Tarik Skubal, who pitched 6 2/3 innings, striking out seven without a walk. The Tigers’ only run came in the fifth when Willi Castro took a solo shot to right. pic.twitter.com/zR6IGLEffd — Detroit Tigers (@tigers) August 19, 2021BOX SCOREUp next: The Tigers and Angels wrap up their three-game series on Thursday at 1:10 p.m. Tigers rookie right-hander Matt Manning (3-5, 6.10 ERA) will face Angels lefty Jose Quintana (0-3, 6.12).
mlive.comDETROIT -- Detroit Tigers television analyst Jack Morris was “suspended indefinitely” from broadcasts, Bally Sports Detroit announced Wednesday. Bally Sports Detroit, which is the rightsholder for Tigers’ broadcasts, said Morris would undergo bias training. “Bally Sports Detroit is extremely disappointed with the remarks analyst Jack Morris made during last night’s Tigers game,” the network said in a statement. “Jack has been suspended indefinitely from Tigers broadcasts and will be undergoing bias training to educate him on the impact of his comments and how he can be a positive influence in a diverse community. “We are deeply disappointed by the comments made by Jack Morris during the broadcast last night.
mlive.comDETROIT -- Detroit Tigers television analyst Jack Morris apologized during Tuesday’s broadcast after remarks that some perceived as racist. With Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani at bat in the sixth inning, announcer Matt Shepard asked Morris how the Tigers should pitch to Ohtani. Morris replied, “Be very, very careful.”Some Twitter users highlighted the remarks and said Morris was using an exaggerated or stereotypical Asian accent. In any case, Morris apologized during Ohtani’s final at-bat of the game in the ninth inning. “It’s been brought to my attention and I sincerely apologize if I offended anybody, especially in the Asian community, for what I said about pitching and being careful to Shohei Ohtani,” Morris said.
mlive.comDETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers were beaten not by Shohei Ohtani on Tuesday, but by a 22-year-old with a .181 batting average. Jo Adell crushed a two-out, tie-breaking grand slam off Tigers closer Gregory Soto in the ninth inning to lead the Los Angeles to a 8-2 victory in the series opener at Comerica Park. The final eight pitches he saw from Angels pitchers were balls, prompting boos from the crowd and reinforcing manager A.J. Ohtani came home to score on Brandon Marsh’s RBI single. BOX SCOREUp next: The Tigers and Angels meet again on Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. Tigers lefty Tarik Skubal (8-10, 4.10) vs. RHP Shohei Ohtani (7-1, 2.93)
mlive.comDETROIT -- Imagine this scenario on Wednesday night at Comerica Park: Miguel Cabrera hits his 500th home run off two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani. The Tigers are back in action at Comerica Park after a weekend series that drew 80,816 fans eager to see Cabrera’s 500th home run. But Cabrera didn’t go long and the Tigers lost two of three to the Indians. The Tigers face Ohtani, who has a league-high 39 home runs as a hitter while posting a 2.93 ERA in 17 starts as a pitcher. If he struggles again, he could be supplanted by someone else or the Tigers could switch to a bullpen day.
mlive.comTom Baird is a longtime Bay City baseball fan and former umpire who won tickets to the 1971 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Tiger Stadium in Detroit when he was 15. I was fortunate enough to attend this year’s MLB All-Star Game in Denver, Colorado on July 13, 2021. The MLB’s All-Star Game now has turned into a week-long celebration of the game. As with every All-Star game, the managers have quite a juggling act to get as many players into the game as possible. The 2021 All-Star game was enjoyable but nothing compared to the Classic that I witnessed 50 years earlier.
mlive.comDENVER (AP) — A Sho-case for Shohei Ohtani became a grand stage for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., too. A 27-year-old right-hander in his fourth big league season, Ohtani has dazzled. Despite another season of strikeouts that have alarmed baseball’s leadership, NL batters whiffed 12 times while AL hitters had just three strikeouts. Toronto’s Marcus Semien had put the AL ahead with an RBI single in the second off Burnes, who took the loss. Ohtani became the second straight Japanese pitcher to win the All-Star Game after the Yankees’ Masahiro Tanaka two years ago.
mlive.comCLEVELAND, Ohio -- ESPN host Stephen A. Smith has made a good living voicing his opinion. But the “First Take” host crossed the line with xenophobic comments he made on Monday’s episode about Los Angeles Angels phenom Shohei Ohtani. Smith then compared Ohtani to 1990s slugger Mark McGwire, who he described as “a dude you could put on Wheaties boxes that could ingratiate himself with the younger generations out there and who had America transfixed on the sport.”“That’s not the case (with Ohtani),” Smith continued. “Because of the problems (Major League Baseball) has been having to do deal with in terms of improving the attractiveness of the sports, it helps if you spoke the English language. “As I’m watching things unfold, let me say that I never intended to offend ANY COMMUNITY, particularly the Asian community -- and Shohei Ohtani, himself.
mlive.comBatting second, Alonso trailed 22-17 after the first two minutes of the final round, then hit six homers on six swings over the first 28 seconds of his final minute. Alonso hit a first-round record 35 dingers, seven more than Josh Hamilton in 2008 at the original Yankee Stadium, and topped Kansas City’s Salvador Pérez with 27. Alonso, batting second, beat Soto 16-15 in the second round. The 29-year-old Baltimore Orioles first baseman hit .256 with 16 homers and 55 RBIs going into the All-Star break. Mancini knocked out Story 13-12 in the second round, hitting second and advancing with a drive to center.
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