The hype is real! So are the eyeballs. Shohei Ohtani surely attracts more eyeballs on screen than anyone we have seen in a long time in the world of baseball. The Japanese star with a truckload of hype behind him ever since arriving in the US has been nothing short of a wild attraction. He has shifted perceptions regarding what is possible for two-way players in the modern professional age. Despite his nagging injuries, the 29-year-old has had a great cultural impact in a fairly short time.
When he arrived, Shotime was seen as a symbol of hope for Japanese players looking to make it to the big league. But now, in addition to the above, he is a symbol of hope for iconic franchises to stay competitive. No wonder he’s got them all lining up.
Shohei Ohtani Reigns Supreme in New York’s Heart
The market is ablaze with reports and rumors regarding where will Ohtani land next. With a number of teams appearing in the hunt, it seems like in New York the Ohtani fever has arrived even before Shotime has even penned a deal.
Halloween, a time when pumpkins glow and costumes steal the show, the recent tweet showcasing a woman wearing an Ohtani jersey in New York City appears to be a testament to the widespread Ohtani fever gripping not only the West Coast but also reaching the East Coast.
Devil Ohtani, NYC, Halloween ‘23 pic.twitter.com/zjmsvZSM6H
— Talkin’ Jake (@TalkinJake) October 28, 2023
Even though a UCL injury will keep him out of pitching the entire 2024 season, it appears that Ohtani is available to hit, and no team wants to miss out on the free agent. Slated to sign a historic $500 million deal if not more, a number of franchises have shown interest in him including the likes of the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, the Yankees, the Texas Rangers, and the Boston Red Sox to name a few.
With New York in contention, the fans are already excited about the prospect of having him on their team. Although nothing is decided as of now, it is yet to be seen if the star player actually decides on a move to the Big Apple.
Is New York the most favorable city for Ohtani?
New Yorkers are baffling about the game and perhaps this is something Ohtani can benefit from. Even though he didn’t seem keen on it 6 years ago, time has changed now and so has Ohtani. It is a big city with big marketing and commercial opportunities. With Steven Cohen of the Mets having a deep passion and even deeper pockets, New York can be an attractive option.
The allure of being a baseball star in New York is just too strong, however, that might even go the negative way, as the famously reserved player is not seen making a lot of public appearances. But with all the cards still on the table, it will be interesting to see where Shohei Ohtani decides to ply his trade and what record the deal breaks.
