Sho-time: The Inside Story of Shohei Ohtani and the Greatest Baseball Season Ever Played

Shohei Ohtani is a legendary baseball player who was awarded the 2021 American League Most Valuable Player and is the only player ever named an All-Star Selection as both a two-way dominant pitcher and elite hitter. He has racked up eye-popping achievements throughout his career, and in Sho-Time, award-winning sportswriter Jeff Fletcher charts Ohtani's path through Japanese baseball to a championship with the Nippon-Ham Fighters, the recruiting war to bring him to the majors, his AL Rookie of the Year campaign, subsequent injury-riddled seasons, the historic 2021 season, his 2023 World Baseball Classic, and beyond. Fletcher weaves in the history of two-way players and the Japanese athletes who preceded Ohtani in the majors, and with insight from Japanese and American baseball front office personnel, managers, scouts, athletic trainers, ballplayers, and more, Sho-Time breaks down the physics of Ohtani's game, his technologically advanced training, his international fame, and the role his role leading baseball into a new era.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 04 August 2022
Publisher: Diversion Books

Shohei Ohtani, the legendary MVP of baseball, is a two-way player who dominates both as a pitcher and a DH with otherworldly power at the plate. His journey from his early days in Japan to his historic 2021 season, the 2023 World Baseball Classic, and beyond is a remarkable tale. In his first two-way game of the 2021 season, Ohtani threw a pitch at 100 mph and hit a homer that left his bat at 115 mph, a confluence of feats unmatched by anyone else in the sport. Throughout his career, he has racked up eye-popping achievements, but awards and numbers tell only part of his amazing story.

In Sho-Time, award-winning sportswriter Jeff Fletcher charts Ohtani's path through Japanese baseball to a championship with the Nippon-Ham Fighters, the recruiting war to bring him to the majors, his AL Rookie of the Year campaign, subsequent injury-riddled seasons, the historic 2021 season, his 2023 World Baseball Classic, and beyond. Fletcher weaves in the history of two-way players, including Babe Ruth and unsung Negro Leagues players like "Bullet" Joe Rogan, Martin Dihigo, and Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe, and the Japanese athletes who preceded Ohtani in the majors. With insight from Japanese and American baseball front office personnel, managers, scouts, athletic trainers, ballplayers, and more, Sho-Time breaks down the physics of Ohtani's game, his technologically advanced training, his international fame, and the impact he has had on the sport.

Ohtani's ability to dominate as both a pitcher and a DH is a testament to his extraordinary talent and dedication. He has become a global sensation, with fans around the world marveling at his skills and his unique approach to the game. His success has also opened doors for other Japanese players to pursue careers in the majors, and he has become a symbol of hope and inspiration for young athletes everywhere.

In conclusion, Shohei Ohtani's legendary MVP season as baseball's greatest two-way player is a story that continues to captivate fans and inspire athletes around the world. His journey from his early days in Japan to his historic 2021 season, the 2023 World Baseball Classic, and beyond is a testament to his extraordinary talent, dedication, and impact on the sport. Whether he is throwing a pitch at 100 mph or hitting a homer that leaves his bat at 115 mph, Ohtani is a player who has proven that anything is possible in the world of baseball.

Dimension: 228 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781635767971