Ohtani Comes To America

Latest Episodes:

S5 Intro: MLB The Sho Apr 06, 2022

Show notes

After an unusual offseason for baseball with the lockout, Opening Day is back and Ohtani will take the mound tomorrow for his official pitching and hitting return. Kev and Jack talk about the new “Ohtani rule” that came out of the lockout, the GQ Cover story, Ohtani being the cover star for the MLB The Show ’22 video game, his Spring Training, and predictions for his numbers this year. Plus, how the Angels did in the offseason and where Ohtani’s teammates stand to start the year.

New S5 cover illustration by ひっきー(ひきちゃん) www.instagram.com/hikky.baseball

Unanimous MVP Winner! (2021 Finale) Nov 19, 2021

Show notes

With the playoffs and World Series over, it's time for baseball awards. Of course, they saved the most important one until the end, but it was worth the wait... Shohei Ohtani is your UNANIMOUS 2021 MOST VALUABLE PLAYER! He’s the first to get all the top place votes since Mike Trout almost a decade ago, and only a dozen or so players to ever to do it. Jack and Kev give their instant reactions to the MVP announcement with recording right after it happened and discuss some other offseason tidbits. Plus, what free agents the Angels might want to go after both on and off the mound.

Best Season Yet, Even With Quiet 2nd Half Oct 10, 2021

Show notes

The regular season is over and, as usual, the Angels did not make the playoffs or come close. While the second half of the year after the All-Star Break was quieter than the beginning for Ohtani, he still kept up the two-way play. It looks like he’ll be in line for the MVP, when those awards are given out in November (which we’ll be doing another episode for). In the meantime, Kev and Jack go over how Ohtani did for the year and what takeaways there are. Plus, the bright and dark spots of the Angels season in general. Even Ohtani’s best season yet was only so much help.

The Home Run Derby, All-Star Game, & Midseason Recap Jul 16, 2021

Show notes

We’re at the break of an incredible first half for Ohtani where he’s leading the league in home runs, up there in Cy Young contention, and is giving us “Shotime” night in and night out – both on and off the mound. There’s been no bigger stage, however, then this past All-Star week. Ohtani participated in the Home Run derby, and then the next day was the leadoff hitter and starting pitcher in the All-Star game. He was the center of attention, rightfully so, and has been the overall star of the season. Jack and Kev break down his numbers so far, how they felt about the HR derby and ASG, and the current State of Shohei.

Angel In The Outfield May 18, 2021

Show notes

Now a three-way player sensation with making appearances in the outfield, Shohei Ohtani has taken the start of the 2021 baseball season by storm. Both his pitching on the mound and hitting at the plate have been exceptional, and this is the window of Shotime that we’ve been waiting for since he came to the MLB in 2018. Kev and Jack discuss how it’s all unfolded so far, notable moments, his current stats, and what might be on the horizon. Plus, a brief recap on the Angels current status and letting Albert Pujols go from the team.

S4 Intro: Time To Believe? Apr 01, 2021

Show notes

Opening Day is here again and the excitement has been noticeably increasing for Shohei Ohtani having a successful year as a two-way player on the mound and at the plate. After an impressive Spring Training on both ends, including some dingers, even the doubters and haters are starting to change their mind. Jack and Kev discuss the offseason, what he did in the Cactus League this March, and how it’s looking for him and the Angels heading into a full regular 162 game slate following the shortened 60 game season of last year.

60 Games of Sadness (2020 Finale) Oct 02, 2020

Show notes

It was a slow and torturous rest of the season to be a fan of Ohtani, even though he was finally able to just focus only on hitting after stopping pitching for his forearm strain. It turned out not to be a good year for him on either side of the baseball. Plus, the Angels once again didn’t make the playoffs (goodbye Billy Eppler), even though they almost snuck in over the Astros at the end.

It’s going to be a long offseason.

In the meantime, if you want to hear more of Kev and Jack, you can listen to Pros and Cons:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pros-and-cons/id1450368529

And Just Like That, Back To One-Way Again Aug 08, 2020

Show notes

Two weeks into the covid season, we have injury news. Ohtani is off the pitching mound for the season, although luckily he will still be able to keep hitting in games. Deja vu is real because it feels just like 2018. Jack and Kev discuss what this news means, how Ohtani’s season had been going before this happened, and what it means for the rest of the year. Plus, the biggest question of all: how does this impact the idea of Ohtani continuing to pursue being a two-way player in the future?

Also, as usual, an Angels update with their chances of making the playoffs at the moment.

Shoutout to Trout Daddy on the new baby!

For anyone interested, here's also a link to our other podcast 'Pros and Cons' where we talk about a mix of topics -
(Apple) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pros-and-cons/id1450368529
(Spotify) https://open.spotify.com/show/4jRPV5hB2WpajBq1reEU1c?si=gZRVQZ6XTHGMP_75aHAe1g

S3 Intro: Going Into The Covid Season, Return of Two-Way Shohei, Angels Get Maddon and Rendon Jul 23, 2020

Show notes

After the longest offseason of all time, baseball is finally back! With the global pandemic of coronavirus, it’s going to be a strange limited season of 60 games. Ohtani is coming off left knee surgery from last September, and has also been finishing rehabbing from Tommy John surgery from Fall 2018. So while last year he didn’t pitch because of the TJ, he will be back to his two-way player status this year.

In this return episode to kick off Ohtani’s third season playing in America, hosts Kev and Jack look at what’s to come. What might this season be like for him? And how will the Angels do after hiring a new legendary manager (Joe Maddon) or signing a superstar third baseman (Anthony Rendon)? Do they have a chance in this limited season?

Sophomore Year Recap (2019 Finale) Oct 03, 2019

Show notes

Ohtani's season ended a couple weeks ago, but the Angels just wrapped up their regular season (with no playoffs ahead of them). We talk about some minor updates about the knee surgery Ohtani had a couple weeks ago and then take a step back to look at how his sophomore season went overall in 2019 as a one-way player. Then we do a speed round of the Angels overall season, the freshly announced firing of manager Brad Ausmus after only one year (and rumors of Joe Maddon being hired in his place), as well as our suggestions for upcoming free agents that Billy Eppler should pursue in the offseason to fill spots they need. We'll be back in Spring Training 2020! You can also click below for Pros and Cons, our other (non-baseball) podcast, which we'll still be doing in the offseason: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pros-and-cons/id1450368529

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected