Take Two translates the day’s headlines for Southern California, making sense of the news and cultural events that affect our lives. Produced by Southern California Public Radio and broadcast from October 2012 – June 2021. Hosted by A Martinez.
You'd be forgiven if you're not familiar with Shohei Ohtani. But Ohtani could soon become a household name.
Ohtani is the newest player for Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels, after being one of the most sought-after free agents in the off season.
At age 23, Ohtani is already a Japanese baseball legend. He was a star for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon, in that country's pro baseball league. What makes him so special is that he's an adept pitcher, recording the fastest pitch by a Japanese pitcher in NPB history, as well as a powerful slugger, once lodging a baseball through the roof of the Tokyo Dome.
And that's why people are referring to him as the Babe Ruth of Japanese baseball. Here are some highlights of his superb pitching/hitting skills.
Angels superstar Mike Trout took some time out of his schedule to tale a look at Ohtani as he was in the batting cage.
. enjoying the Sho.
— Angels (@Angels)
We talk about Ohtani and the Angels, and what fans should expect with our regular sports contributors Andy and Brian Kamenetzky.