Former Angels star Shohei Ohtani is set to play at Angel Stadium for the first time as a visiting player during the Freeway Series, marking a significant moment in his career. After spending six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, where he earned two MVP awards and multiple All-Star selections, Ohtani joined the Dodgers this offseason on a historic 10-year, $700 million contract. Despite no longer being a member of the Angels, Ohtani has expressed a deep appreciation for Angel Stadium, a place where he spent a considerable part of his career. His former teammates and Dodgers staff expect a warm reception for him during this visit.
As reported by the Orange County Register, Ohtani spoke through his interpreter about his time with the Angels. “For me it’s a special place. Obviously, I spent pretty much the most time there compared to other stadiums, and being able to spend the time playing in front of (Angels) fans. I spent a lot of time at Angel Stadium and obviously this year we already played against the team, so I’m just really looking forward to being able to spend some time at a ballpark that I spent most of my career at.”
The Dodgers and Angels previously faced off at Dodger Stadium, with Ohtani playing against his former team for the first time in the regular season. As he prepares for this upcoming game, Ohtani is looking forward to returning to a ballpark that holds many memories for him. During his time with the Angels, Ohtani posted impressive stats, including a .274 batting average, 171 home runs, and a 3.01 ERA as a pitcher. His transition to the Dodgers has been closely watched, and fans are eager to see how he performs in this familiar setting.
