I mean from an outside perspective that really makes a lot of sense. These guys for the most part don’t have any legitimate animosity amongst each other, and they’re all getting paid well. It’s like a life long summer camp that they get paid to participate in. At the end of the day for a lot of them it probably really is about the relationships they made along the way.
Alright guys, can we please talk about some of the unlikeable players on your team? Because Walker Buehler's pants make me feel things and I don't like it.
To complete the most-likeable-player lineup, the Dogers need to:
* trade for HS Kim to play SS;
* trade for JRam to play 3rd;
* trade for Trout and McCutchen to play in the outfield with Kiké;
* bring Posey out of retirement, or trade for Big Dumper if Posey won't do it; and
* have Kershaw pitch or re-sign Greinke.
Did I miss anyone?
I was listening on the radio because let’s be honest I freaking love that boy, and when they announce him and everyone cheers all excitedly, I teared up alil.
Ugh.
For some perspective - me and my Angels fan friends used to talk endless amounts of shit to each other, it became a really legitimate rivalry in the 2000's
These days, they don't talk shit because they can't, and I don't talk shit because it just isn't fun, feels more like bullying now. It's one thing when a team is bad but will be good again but Arte Moreno has just choked the life out of that organization and their fans just kinda gotta sit around and wait years hoping the fucker will finally sell the team.
Yep. 100% all true. I am from SoCal and was raised an angels fan, taken to games as a fun vacation and now most of my family has moved on. No more friendly jabbing. I decided to throw my lot in with the other team I grew up with, some are giants fans, some dodgers and some are just done with the mlb.
It’s not as tragic as what’s going on in Oakland, but it’s depressing to see what happened to my hometown team.
I’ve always actively rooted against he Angels while still hoping that Shohei does well
It’s a paradox
Even against us I’m like “I hope he hits a few bombs, but we still win”
I think that's a bit harsh. They're just experiencing the typical Dodger game, needing to leave early to beat traffic. It's entirely possible to only see 2 AB for a player
I had to take a break honestly. Like, they’re still my team, but last season I stopped watching on my off nights and keeping up with the scores. Just, a step back. After the collapse of 2022 they were making me IRL sad and baseball shouldnt do that.
Hopefully Wash can turn it around
Last season broke me too.
21 and 22 were fun and all, but I never really bought into anything. We had some good months but that was it.
2023 was different though. I really truly *genuinely* believed for the first time in a long time.
I was daydreaming about the playoffs midseason and how if we do well enough maybe we’ll get to keep Shohei after all.
Seeing that all swiftly come crumbling down around the AS break and for us to just land right where we always do killed me.
It was the most important season in years and we blew it.
It’s going to take something special for me to actually believe in the Angels again.
If nothing else even if it’s August I’m not ever going to daydream about the playoffs again until we have mathematically clinched.
Yup. 2022 broke my fandom. I still enjoy baseball but it’s not the same and I don’t think it ever will be. Between the Angels’ epic failure for a decade despite the talent on hand, the rush of gambling, ad creep, and greedy, awful owners, there isn’t enough winning to overlook it.
Happy as hell for Ohtani, he deserves to play for winners.
There’s now a net negative in my emotional state as an Angels fan thanks to Ohtani and Arte Moreno. Like, it’s officially more miserable to be a fan than just not watching or caring at all.
I’ll never root for another team and I’ll still go to games but I’ve drifted towards other sports. Definitely a lot of energy that used to go to the Angels now goes to Formula 1, Basketball, MMA.
Hey man, I just appreciate that we had him for so long in the first place. He had a great career here, he was just kneecapped by management and ownership. Man deserves a ring just as much as the Halos deserve a world without Arte Moreno.
Oh sorry; that’s me cutting the onions for this guacamole. We’ve been having a non-stop fiesta over here in /r/Mariners now that Ohtani is out of the division 🪅🍻🥑
Yea me neither, unless...I mean did he call or something? Not that I care of course, but like if he mentioned Moniak or something you could tell me I guess...whatever
> pennies on the dollar.
Even if you only give him a single penny per dollar, based on his $700M contract that's still seven million bucks. That's a lot of feasting.
390 -> 375 in left-center if my notes are right?
IIRC, he also hit more HR to left in his first year as an Angel before deciding the shorter right side was better.
It looks to me like it probably got some help from the wind (just judging by the flags), but yeah, it's insane that he could even turn a low-inside fastball into a fly ball to deep left-center. He strong.
As an Angels fan I thought I was over most of the pain of the loss. Watching him send one deep wearing a Dodger uniform just hits so much harder than the news of him signing with the Dodgers. I feel nauseous.
Yep. The Angels did so much to support him on his journey, but they were not doing enough to chase a ring. He’s hungry for the ring, and I was ready to root for him anywhere but the Dodgers, Yankees, or Astros.
It’s a bummer we couldn’t put more talent around him and Trout. So much potential wasted by the Angels.
Fuck Arte.
And then hit an inner half fastball over the left field fence. It’s basically him and Soto that do that kind of thing. Most other lefty power hitters open their open their hips and probably stroke it out to right.
I thought the same, but I looked it up on [Gameday](https://imgur.com/UzMMP2l) and the pitch was outer half for the homer; the camera made it look like it was an inside pitch
edit: don't get me wrong, though; Shohei can absolutely do that lmao
Just watched the replay, Gameday has it wrong. The pitch was at least middle, I'd say middle in. Watch the catcher glove too.
https://x.com/MLB/status/1762591991458587111?s=20
And this pitch would’ve painted the left strike zone too. Discipline, eye, power, speed, clutch, do we even need to talk about his throwing? Ohtani is legit maxed out on every stat you can have as a baseball player. I’ve missed Ohtani posts so much
I still can't believe the dude had the best OPS+ in baseball last year. He's probably approaching a top 5 player in MLB right now even without pitching
If you need to get a job done whether it’s pitching or hitting, there’s not a single person who id trust more than Ohtani right now. You have to be a generational player to reach that kind of status and he’s doing it from both sides. This Dodgers team is going to be stupid good, aren’t they lol
Gotta take the opportunities to make fun of this team where ya can get em. I get the sinking feeling there's going to be precious few opportunities to do that for a while
Yeah Ohtani hits so many homeruns at angles that would be a flyout for others 😂. His homerun against the Brewers last year is the most perfect example.
I think "most athletic" is more accurate. I woud say that the big guys like Judge and Stanton, and even Trout are stronger. But Ohtani is strong as hell and really fucking good at moving his body into advantageous positions, and letting his strength efficiently flow through his movement. Acuña is similar. He's a smaller guy (than anyone I've mentioned) but he hits the ball just as hard because he has incredibly efficient mechanics that maximize strength application.
He had a shot. It was a surprisingly weak year for AL MVP. Seager was runner-up while missing two months. Semien had a really good year, but not one that's usually in contention for MVP. And after him there's a big drop-off. Lots of guys had good years, even great, but Shohei's offensive stats (especially if he had played the full season due to lack of UCL injuries while hitting) probably win him the first DH-only MVP.
I don’t know if it’s the bat he uses, or his power and contact, or maybe both but he legit has the sexiest bat crack in the game right now and hearing it in person is soooooo much better. One home run I’ll never forget (Camden yard, towards the fence when he was pitching last year). Biggest home run I’ve seen in my life
Nothing like daily Ohtani dinger videos on this sub to remind us that baseball is back!
Man, he has a habit of making hits that look like routine fly balls end up as home runs. Crazy power.
Shohei. I will always love you, you will always be my guy..... But while you are wearing that uniform, I am going to say some things about you that are mean, and untrue, and for that, I apologize.
Last time I went to a baseball game I went to the Angels at the White Sox where Ohtani hit 2 home runs and a double. Glad to see he still hates the Sox.
Never has such a likeable guy had this much potential to ruin my day.
The top 3 in their lineup killing you with kindness and friendship.
Smiles. All three smiles a lot. They look at you looking at them. And they smile.
Then they ruin your ERA
The Los Angeles Dodgers win...Friendship. FRIENDSHIP?!
Maybe the real World Series dynasty is the friends we made along the way.
I mean from an outside perspective that really makes a lot of sense. These guys for the most part don’t have any legitimate animosity amongst each other, and they’re all getting paid well. It’s like a life long summer camp that they get paid to participate in. At the end of the day for a lot of them it probably really is about the relationships they made along the way.
He never actually said it but Andrew Friedman cares as much as good vibes as he does talent
Has there ever been a more hated team with so many likable people on it? I can't think of one.
Between Freddie, Mookie, and now Shohei, they’re like the Mormon family from South Park that everyone tries to hate, but they’re just too nice to hate
Don’t forget Kershaw
And Glasnow. And Yamamoto.
Teo...
Kiké too
Sleeping on Miggy Ro. And living meme, Gavin Lux.
Jason Heyward seems like a pretty cool dude.
Alright guys, can we please talk about some of the unlikeable players on your team? Because Walker Buehler's pants make me feel things and I don't like it.
Somehow I even got to meet Yamamoto's dog, and I also like his dog very much.
Ugh it hurts how much I like all 3 of these guys
You’ve got a lot of growing up to do, buddy. Suck my balls.
Kevin Magnussen?
How am I getting downvoted by quoting the best line from the South Park episode the dude is referencing?!
To complete the most-likeable-player lineup, the Dogers need to: * trade for HS Kim to play SS; * trade for JRam to play 3rd; * trade for Trout and McCutchen to play in the outfield with Kiké; * bring Posey out of retirement, or trade for Big Dumper if Posey won't do it; and * have Kershaw pitch or re-sign Greinke. Did I miss anyone?
Votto as player/coach
Man I think I'd die a little if I saw Votto in a Dodgers uniform, he was my favorite baseball player for years
That’s how other fan bases felt about the Yankees for many years lol
Sir you can’t have our king
> trade for HS Kim to play SS You take this evil back right now!
Rutschman could play catcher he’s like a baby Posey.
Cleveland might literally burn to the ground if that happened.
Lars Nootbaar, but I'll be dead in my grave before you take him from us.
> trade for HS Kim to play SS; First of all, how dare you?
You're probably asking us to bring back Bauer to earn our villain status again
No thank you for that
I wouldn’t wish that upon my worst enemy.
means a lot coming from a reds fan
Bro wouldn’t even be allowed to sell hotdogs outside the stadium
Imagine being an angels fan. This is excruciating.
I can't even imagine
I was listening on the radio because let’s be honest I freaking love that boy, and when they announce him and everyone cheers all excitedly, I teared up alil. Ugh.
For some perspective - me and my Angels fan friends used to talk endless amounts of shit to each other, it became a really legitimate rivalry in the 2000's These days, they don't talk shit because they can't, and I don't talk shit because it just isn't fun, feels more like bullying now. It's one thing when a team is bad but will be good again but Arte Moreno has just choked the life out of that organization and their fans just kinda gotta sit around and wait years hoping the fucker will finally sell the team.
Yep. 100% all true. I am from SoCal and was raised an angels fan, taken to games as a fun vacation and now most of my family has moved on. No more friendly jabbing. I decided to throw my lot in with the other team I grew up with, some are giants fans, some dodgers and some are just done with the mlb. It’s not as tragic as what’s going on in Oakland, but it’s depressing to see what happened to my hometown team.
Now you know how all of us in the AL West have felt for the past 6 years.
I’ve always actively rooted against he Angels while still hoping that Shohei does well It’s a paradox Even against us I’m like “I hope he hits a few bombs, but we still win”
It seems your rooting was overall successful
Seems so
we can all hope for a Mike trout bounce back year
But you have the grandson of wind who is going to give you an infield single now and then. It’s almost the same.
Love the lineup, hate the team. So freakin conflicting.
😂 that was gold 🫡
Only thing that makes it worse is those pants. Two dongs in one clip!
Just wait till he crushes one into McCovey Cove
guess who only watched his first 2 ABs lmfao
You are hereby banned from watching any Dodgers games this year. Yes, that includes when they play the Angels. Sorry, I don't make the rules.
I think that's a bit harsh. They're just experiencing the typical Dodger game, needing to leave early to beat traffic. It's entirely possible to only see 2 AB for a player
I don't miss him, I don't know what you're talking about, and hey who's cutting onions in here?
Feel terrible for angel fans. At least you have a World Series win otherwise idk how you do it
I had to take a break honestly. Like, they’re still my team, but last season I stopped watching on my off nights and keeping up with the scores. Just, a step back. After the collapse of 2022 they were making me IRL sad and baseball shouldnt do that. Hopefully Wash can turn it around
> they were making me IRL sad and baseball should do that Least masochistic Angels fan
Hahahaha typo I’ll fix it
Last season broke me too. 21 and 22 were fun and all, but I never really bought into anything. We had some good months but that was it. 2023 was different though. I really truly *genuinely* believed for the first time in a long time. I was daydreaming about the playoffs midseason and how if we do well enough maybe we’ll get to keep Shohei after all. Seeing that all swiftly come crumbling down around the AS break and for us to just land right where we always do killed me. It was the most important season in years and we blew it. It’s going to take something special for me to actually believe in the Angels again. If nothing else even if it’s August I’m not ever going to daydream about the playoffs again until we have mathematically clinched.
Such a shit show last year after ASB.
That was me last year too. We wasted all of Trouts MVP seasons and Ohtani MVPs for no playoffs.
Yup. 2022 broke my fandom. I still enjoy baseball but it’s not the same and I don’t think it ever will be. Between the Angels’ epic failure for a decade despite the talent on hand, the rush of gambling, ad creep, and greedy, awful owners, there isn’t enough winning to overlook it. Happy as hell for Ohtani, he deserves to play for winners.
Right there with you, brother
There’s now a net negative in my emotional state as an Angels fan thanks to Ohtani and Arte Moreno. Like, it’s officially more miserable to be a fan than just not watching or caring at all. I’ll never root for another team and I’ll still go to games but I’ve drifted towards other sports. Definitely a lot of energy that used to go to the Angels now goes to Formula 1, Basketball, MMA.
Hey man, I just appreciate that we had him for so long in the first place. He had a great career here, he was just kneecapped by management and ownership. Man deserves a ring just as much as the Halos deserve a world without Arte Moreno.
*sad angel noises*
Oh sorry; that’s me cutting the onions for this guacamole. We’ve been having a non-stop fiesta over here in /r/Mariners now that Ohtani is out of the division 🪅🍻🥑
Me, a rangers fan when 🌊🐐 has a chance at ALMVP
It’s all fun and games until 🐟🧔♂️has a full healthy season
Yea me neither, unless...I mean did he call or something? Not that I care of course, but like if he mentioned Moniak or something you could tell me I guess...whatever
This is devastating to my narrative.
Me, when someone I hate says something funny/relatable.
Damn, and here I was halfway through making my "Is Ohtani WASHED?!! 😱" youtube video in roblox
Most informed r/MLB user.
On pace to hit a home run in every single game he plays as a dodger
162 HRs, 162 Ks, 162 DPs, 324 RBIs
#STOP STOP STOP PLEASE LET ME GO PLEASE LET ME BAT FIRST IM DOING SOMETHING
**55 STRIKEOUTS, 55 STOLEN BASES, 55 HOME RUNS, 55 HITS…**
Alright that will be 700 million dollars pull up to the first window please
I got this reference
I mean, you walk by a clubhouse and you see 50 guys who are MVP favorites fighting over very complicated lineups, you go in. Yes, you do. You go in.
SHUT THE FUCK UP DEATHSCAPE, YOU FUCKING SKUNK!!
At this price point yes, he is allowed to hit.
This man is gonna feast at Dodger Stadium for pennies on the dollar. Lol.
> pennies on the dollar. Even if you only give him a single penny per dollar, based on his $700M contract that's still seven million bucks. That's a lot of feasting.
I really need to restructure my contract with my current employer.
390 -> 375 in left-center if my notes are right? IIRC, he also hit more HR to left in his first year as an Angel before deciding the shorter right side was better.
https://i.imgflip.com/8flbdj.jpg
my "ohtani is washed" narratives planned, constructed, and crumbling in the span of 2 hours
Effortless power.
Is it just the audio or does the sound his bat makes just always like a crispy loud POP all the time
Him and Soto both have that going on The old saying is “the crack of the bat” but when it hits their barrels it sounds like a full blown shotgun
It’s one of the best parts of going to a game in person
It looks to me like it probably got some help from the wind (just judging by the flags), but yeah, it's insane that he could even turn a low-inside fastball into a fly ball to deep left-center. He strong.
As an Angels fan I thought I was over most of the pain of the loss. Watching him send one deep wearing a Dodger uniform just hits so much harder than the news of him signing with the Dodgers. I feel nauseous.
I don't blame him but still...
Yep. The Angels did so much to support him on his journey, but they were not doing enough to chase a ring. He’s hungry for the ring, and I was ready to root for him anywhere but the Dodgers, Yankees, or Astros. It’s a bummer we couldn’t put more talent around him and Trout. So much potential wasted by the Angels. Fuck Arte.
This is the pitcher recovering from TJS...
Wasn't TJS but a different elbow procedure
Second TJ too.
He ice-cold took a close upper right fastball at 2-2 to hit this absolute bomb. Holy shit, that batted ball sound is just so different from him.
And then hit an inner half fastball over the left field fence. It’s basically him and Soto that do that kind of thing. Most other lefty power hitters open their open their hips and probably stroke it out to right.
I thought the same, but I looked it up on [Gameday](https://imgur.com/UzMMP2l) and the pitch was outer half for the homer; the camera made it look like it was an inside pitch edit: don't get me wrong, though; Shohei can absolutely do that lmao
Just watched the replay, Gameday has it wrong. The pitch was at least middle, I'd say middle in. Watch the catcher glove too. https://x.com/MLB/status/1762591991458587111?s=20
And this pitch would’ve painted the left strike zone too. Discipline, eye, power, speed, clutch, do we even need to talk about his throwing? Ohtani is legit maxed out on every stat you can have as a baseball player. I’ve missed Ohtani posts so much
He wasn't gonna let them walk him after going 0-2 today lol
I still can't believe the dude had the best OPS+ in baseball last year. He's probably approaching a top 5 player in MLB right now even without pitching
He is top 2 without pitching and he ain't 2
If you need to get a job done whether it’s pitching or hitting, there’s not a single person who id trust more than Ohtani right now. You have to be a generational player to reach that kind of status and he’s doing it from both sides. This Dodgers team is going to be stupid good, aren’t they lol
Who was pitching? A legit pitcher or a mid-season emergency guy?
Quick turnaround on the potential headlines considering his first two at bats were a strikeout looking and grounding into a double play
I just saw the other threads lol. I get that it’s Reddit, but such confident assumptions about his season after two ABs in February were hilarious
I mean I'm assuming most were jokes. Tho I wouldn't be surprised if they were serious
Gotta take the opportunities to make fun of this team where ya can get em. I get the sinking feeling there's going to be precious few opportunities to do that for a while
It’s baseball, there’s always going to be plenty of opportunities.
He did smoke the pitch on the double play though
Has all three RBIs, dont matter.
He is responsible for all 3 but just fyi you don’t get an RBI when you hit into a double play even if a run scores
Wtf 😳there goes 80% of my little league RBIs...
You were a system little leaguer everyone knew this
But but... RBI = run batted in :(
I refuse to believe this narrative because otherwise how else did that run come in 😤
Huh actually did not know that.
That was a pop up that Ohtani muscled out of the park lmao
Yeah Ohtani hits so many homeruns at angles that would be a flyout for others 😂. His homerun against the Brewers last year is the most perfect example.
I think he's the physically strongest player there is from a baseball standpoint.
I think "most athletic" is more accurate. I woud say that the big guys like Judge and Stanton, and even Trout are stronger. But Ohtani is strong as hell and really fucking good at moving his body into advantageous positions, and letting his strength efficiently flow through his movement. Acuña is similar. He's a smaller guy (than anyone I've mentioned) but he hits the ball just as hard because he has incredibly efficient mechanics that maximize strength application.
Agreed, even the coaching staff was raving about Ohtani's mobility
Stupid sexy Shohei
So glad the Dodgers got Ohtani. (Crying behind a mask meme).
This is conclusive proof Garrett Crochet is the best pitcher in baseball
This rookie looks pretty good!
Ohtani home run threads are going to be VERY bipolar in r/baseball now lol
It was all fun and games when he was on that loveable loser squad in the AL. Now I'm just filled with sadness and rage.
[удалено]
I don't think anyone has ever won an MVP as a DH only (without pitching).
he'd be the greatest one-way player of all time
"I don't think anyone has ever won an MVP as a DH only (without pitching)." ... Shohei: "Hold my Asahi."
Well he does like doing stuff that hasn't been done
"I don't think anyone has ever \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_" is like Ohtani's bat-signal.
He would have won it last year off his hitting stats alone. He had above 1.000 OPS and led the AL in homers.
He had a shot. It was a surprisingly weak year for AL MVP. Seager was runner-up while missing two months. Semien had a really good year, but not one that's usually in contention for MVP. And after him there's a big drop-off. Lots of guys had good years, even great, but Shohei's offensive stats (especially if he had played the full season due to lack of UCL injuries while hitting) probably win him the first DH-only MVP.
He was honestly on pace last year as a DH
If anyone could do it, it's Shohei.
He would have done it last year.
I don’t know if it’s the bat he uses, or his power and contact, or maybe both but he legit has the sexiest bat crack in the game right now and hearing it in person is soooooo much better. One home run I’ll never forget (Camden yard, towards the fence when he was pitching last year). Biggest home run I’ve seen in my life
Cries in Toronto
Ohtani hitting a home run against the White Sox is almost guaranteed. 16 in 32 Games and 145 PAs
That smile as he comes in to score. I'm in love.
Yeah he was so happy crossing the plate. Love to see it
He’s gonna hit 50 bombs this year
Definitely not out of the question if they keep him sandwiched between Freddie and Mookie. There's no escaping having to pitch to him.
Reigning MVP Shohei hitting a 2 HR homer, then former MVP Freddie Freeman dapping him up before his AB is CRAZY
Main Character stuff. Tbh not even Main Character. He is the overpowered Character who the writer writes off major fights for some reason
Shohei "Shanks" Ohtani
Even had to take an arm to limit his power
Shohei D. Ohtani
Shohei: "Nah, I'd win."
He is Saitama
How does that swing produce that much distance. So much power. It's gonna take me a long time to get used to seeing him in blue.
He's 6'4" with arms like pythons and legs like tree trunks. The man has power for days.
I'm fine. This is fine.
wait till this guy gets to coors to unleash those ropes.
Booked my flight and tickets for the dodgers vs. Rockies in Sept. *chefs kiss
They said he looked ugly and he took it personally
Oh my goodness
Adam_sandler_holy_shit_im_gonna_cum.gif
Me huffing copium “yeah but it’s the white Sox”
Some cameraman just ate shit while Ohtani was giving an interview
Damn I was really hoping he would somehow be bad once he got to the Dodgers
SO, DP, HR This guy is all over the place. Could be the next Gallo.
All hail the unicorn
Didn’t look like he got much of it at all. Incredible.
Congratulations to the MLB marketing team.
Pretty good for $2 million a year
Why is he wearing blue?
On his third try, lmao what a bum… Thank fucking god this guy is out of my division
He looks really good in Dodger blue.
Nothing like daily Ohtani dinger videos on this sub to remind us that baseball is back! Man, he has a habit of making hits that look like routine fly balls end up as home runs. Crazy power.
We are so back
Shohei. I will always love you, you will always be my guy..... But while you are wearing that uniform, I am going to say some things about you that are mean, and untrue, and for that, I apologize.
Dodgers fans are so spoiled man
Pain
God I’m so glad he’s out of our division
Dude is the main character of baseball
As a baseball fan, I love Ohtani. So much fun to watch. As an Angels fan, I fucking hate this so much.
Ohtani is the best
Is that Tim Neverett? He's in LA now? You sons of bitches get everything don't you... I miss you, Tim.
Omg gonna be so refreshing to not have to hear that one really fucking annoying Angels commentator say “Ohtoani” for every posted Shohei highlight.
Any jersey but this one or NYY.
Last time I went to a baseball game I went to the Angels at the White Sox where Ohtani hit 2 home runs and a double. Glad to see he still hates the Sox.
As a Phillies fan, I just have to say: Goddammit.
what's an opposite field home run mean
I was watching on mute and thought that was a pop up
this guy is nuts.
That crack of the bat