Major League Baseball star player Shohei Ohtani has announced he will sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani previously played for the Dodgers’ local rivals the Los Angeles Angels.
ESPN reporter Jeff Passan says the deal is for 10 years and $700 million.
The Japanese baseball star made the announcement in an Instagram post. In the post, he apologized for “taking so long to come to a decision.” The apology appears to be a reference to growing frustration amongst media members that his team was remaining tight-lipped about possible moves.
Ohtani also thanked Angels fans.
“First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved with the Angels organization and the fans who have supported me over the past six years, as well as to everyone involved with each team that was part of this negotiation process. Especially to the Angels fans who supported me through all the ups and downs, your guys’ support and cheer meant the world to me. The six years I spent with the Angels will remain etched in my heart forever,” he wrote.
Ohtani told Dodgers fans he will try to “always do what’s best for the team and always continue to give it my all to be the best version of myself.”
AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc. Make a tax-deductible donation of at least $40 or pledge a monthly recurring donation of at least $10 by August 31 and receive a free copy of The Legend of Mu Lan: Heroine of Ancient China, the inspiration for the classic Disney movie. We are supported in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.