Mlb Two - Way Star Ohtani Shohei Briefly Returns To Japan
Major League Baseball star Ohtani Shohei has briefly returned to Japan after another phenomenal season pitching and hitting with the Los Angeles Angels.
Ohtani looked back on his achievements at a news conference at Tokyo's Haneda Airport.
Ohtani said, "It was a good season for me as I did last year. I think the best thing is that I was able to play stably."
Ohtani realized a historic feat with 15 wins and 219 strikeouts as a pitcher, as well as 34 home runs and 95 runs batted in at the plate. That marks the first time a major leaguer has had a season with double-digit wins and double-digit homers in 104 years. Legend Babe Ruth was the last to reach that milestone before Ohtani.
Ohtani also played the required number of innings pitched and plate appearances in the same season -- the first time since 1901.
Ohtani is seen as in the running for the American League's Most Valuable Player award for a second year in a row. The leading candidate is Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. Judge broke the league record by belting 62 home runs.
Some baseball fans are focusing on Ohtani's expected appearance in the World Baseball Classic, or WBC, in March next year.
Ohtani said, "I have always wanted to play in the WBC since I was in Japan. I want to fight with the Japanese flag on my back in such a competition someday, so I would like to consider it positively."
The MVP is set to be announced on November 17. The Cy Young Award for best pitcher will be announced on the previous day.