LA Angels’ Shohei Ohtani to Become First Player as Both Pitcher, Hitter During MLB All-Star Game

July 6, 2021

Shohei Ohtani, the designated hitter and pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels, will make history as the first person to play as both hitter and pitcher during the MLB All-Star Game on July 13.

Making history: Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon confirmed the 27-year-old baseball player’s double duty on Monday, according to MLB.

Maddon and Kevin Cash, manager of the Tampa Bay Rays, said they are figuring out how Ohtani will pitch at the All-Star Game.
Noting there are “different ways to do it,” Maddon speculated Ohtani “could start the game or come in game-in-progress.”
One proposed solution is to have Ohtani come in as the starting pitcher and hitter. However, other players could take on that role, including Nathan Eovaldi (Red Sox), Carlos Rodón (White Sox) and Kyle Gibson (Rangers).
Maddon also pointed out Ohtani has to attend the Home Run Derby the day before the All-Star Game.
“There’s a lot going on there,” Maddon said. “But Shohei is into it. It’s not like we’re trying to push him into doing anything. We’re just trying to figure out the best way to do it.”

Other details: Born in 1994 in Oshu, a city in Japan’s Iwate Prefecture, Ohtani is currently the betting favorite to win the American League MVP award, Yahoo! Sports reported.

Ohtani entered the major leagues after playing in Japan for five years, AsAm News reported.
He won the American League Rookie of the Year in 2018 and received an invite for the 2021 Home Run Derby.
The MLB All-Star Game is set to take place in Denver on July 13.

Featured Image via MLB

Share this Article