Back in August, FOX Sports’ Ben Verlander tookatrip to Japan for 10 days to immerse in the individuals, the culture and the baseball, especially the baseball journey of the particular Shohei Ohtani.
Verlander’s time in Japan included goingto Ohtani’s hometown, goingto numerous ballgames, checkingout the cities, conference Ohtani’s previous coaches, previous colleagues and hometown mayor, and hosting anumberof meet-ups with fans.
He then returned to Los Angeles and carriedout a individually interview with Ohtani.
All of this will be revealed Tuesday in “Searching for Shohei: An Interview Special,” FOX Sports’ 60-minute documentary produced by Religion of Sports that will be broadcast on FS1 after Game 1 of the NLCS inbetween the Phillies and Padres (8: 03 p.m. ET).
Shohei Ohtani interview with Ben Verlander to air Oct. 18
Ben Verlander is proud to reveal that “Searching for Shohei,” an interview unique, will launching Oct. 18 on FS1, showcasing Ben’s journey to Japan and a individually with Ohtani himself.
Watch “Flippin’ Bats with Ben Verlander” on YouTube, or subscribe on podcast platforms, consistingof Apple Podcasts.
Verlander hasactually been an outspoken fan of Ohtani’s and an admirer of his achievements because priorto the two-way star’s MVP season in2021 In truth, “Shohei Ohtani News” hasactually endedupbeing a repeating sector on FOX Sports’ “Flippin’ Bats” podcast.
“I take it as a sense of duty to make sure I’m talking about him the right method,” Verlander informed USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
Ohtani has had 2 unmatched seasons, starring as both a pitcher and a player for the Los Angeles Angels. In 2022, the ruling consentaneous AL MVP produced a 2.33 ERA and 219 strikeouts in 166 innings, while likewise striking 34 house runs and being 42% muchbetter than the average major-league player by wRC+ (weighted runs produced plus). Essentially, Ohtani was a top-five pitcher and a leading-15 player amidst doing both tasks full-time.
It was a project that wentbeyond his 2021 output however likewise showed to be bittersweet for the two-way phenom. Upon showingup house in Japan on Tuesday, he regreted the reality the Angels were onceagain far from contention.
“I have to state that August and September in specific felt longer to me than last year,” Ohtani stated, speaking in Japanese. “We were not able to play as lotsof excellent videogames as we would like — consistingof 14 successive losses. So I have a rather unfavorable impression of this season.”
While Ohtani is anticipated to surface 2nd behind Aaron Judge in this year’s AL MVP race, you can mostlikely guess which gamer would get Verlander’s vote.
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