Shohei Ohtani had ‘good’ yr; much less glowing on Angels mark

TOKYO — Japanese two-way celebrity Shohei Ohtani arrived residence on Tuesday and was vital of his Los Angeles Angels workforce lacking the Main League Baseball playoffs once more.

In an interview at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, he mentioned it was “a great season for me personally.” Not so good for the Angels, although.

With out stable assist for former AL MVPs Ohtani and Mike Trout, the Angels suffered a seventh consecutive dropping season, and missed the playoffs for an eighth consecutive yr.

“I’ve to say that August and September particularly felt longer to me than final yr,” Ohtani mentioned, talking in Japanese. “We weren’t capable of play as many good video games as we want — together with 14 consecutive losses. So I’ve a moderately detrimental impression of this season.”

The Angels completed 73-89 and have been 33 video games behind the Houston Astros within the American League West.

The Angels final made the playoffs in 2014. Ohtani joined in 2018, leaving one in all baseball’s largest stars on the sidelines for the sport’s largest stage.

Ohtani was 15-9 with a 2.33 ERA as a pitcher. As a batter he hit 34 residence runs, had 95 RBIs and hit .273.

He was requested about the potential of being the American League MVP once more.

“I am simply pleased to be thought of as a candidate,” he mentioned.

Ohtani has already picked up an armful of awards. He was the AL MVP final yr. Final season, he was additionally introduced a particular award — the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award — by commissioner Rob Manfred to acknowledge his two-way play.

Ohtani has already agreed to a $30 million cope with the Angels for the 2023 season, his remaining yr earlier than free company. The Angels have mentioned they need to hold him.

He was open to enjoying for Japan in subsequent yr’s World Baseball Basic, which takes place earlier than the MLB season.

“Many top-class Main League gamers from the US and Latin America have introduced their participation,” Ohtani mentioned. “Collaborating on this match may be very interesting to me. I’ve that sort of feeling.”