#shohei-ohtani

#shohei-ohtani

With more than 1,000 stores worldwide, the Japanese-based clothing brand will hold exclusive marketing and promotional opportunities as the Dodgers' main sponsor. The new deal will also include a new sign in center field.

It almost seems unfair to include Ohtani on this list. At times, it feels as if he belongs in a category all his own. He has claimed four MVPs in the past five seasons, all of them unanimously. And now, somehow, the thought is that Ohtani can elevate to an even higher level.

Every inning he'd come in, and it was a review. Unless he was preparing to lead off the next half-inning, Ohtani would march into the dugout, find an empty spot near the bench and convene with his catcher and Prior to dissect what happened and plan what would follow. Ohtani wanted to know how his stuff was playing and how hitters were responding, whether the game plan was working or whether adjustments were needed.

With Shohei, he's got to pitch and he's got to hit, and he's a monster in the weight room, and he's so fast, all these things. So it's amazing what Shohei does. And as far as secrets, I don't know how he does it. I have no idea. I've watched him for a few years, still have no idea how he does it.

The watch comes in two dial colors - "gray and blue inspired by the Los Angeles Dodgers' visiting uniform," with only 1,700 watches available in each color, a nod to Ohtani's No. 17 jersey. In honor of the back-to-back World Series champion and MVP, the watch also has gold accents on the "bezel, crown, hands, and indices." Ohtani's No. 17 is also on the crown, and the clasp features his signature.

Shohei Ohtani hit 55 home runs last season after signing one of the biggest contracts in North American sports history and has helped the Dodgers become back-to-back World Series champions in his first two years with the team. And yet, to someone who knows him best, it still isn't enough. Ohtani's 2023 Team Japan manager Hiroki Kuriyama recently shared his expectations of the global superstar. "He's only hit 55 home runs. He hasn't won the Cy Young Award. He hasn't even gotten 20 wins... That's it."

Given that they were teammates for 6 years and have arguably been the best player in baseball at any given time, this moment was something all baseball fans were hoping for in 2023. The scene was set in the 9th inning of the 2023 World Baseball Classic game where Japan held a one-run lead. Ohtani came in relief and Mike Trout stepped into the batter's box. Three strikes later, Ohtani struck him out to lock in another WBC Championship for Japan.