Former Angels manager Maddon says Shohei Ohtani is the best player ever.
This off-season, pitcher Shohei Ohtani will bid farewell to the Angels’ red uniform he wore for six years and play for the Dodgers. Former Angels manager Joe Maddon remains in love with Ohtani even two years after his retirement. He appeared on MLB Network’s MLB Tonight program and said, “He’s the best player I’ve ever coached.”
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Maddon has been managing the Angels since 2020. After his surgery, Ohtani pitched only twice in 2020, but the manager did not change his mind about using him as a starter. The following year, in 2021, Otani lifted the ban on “real dual-wielding”, hit 46 home runs and 100 RBIs, and pitched with 9 wins (2 losses), winning the American League MVP by a unanimous vote. “I told him (Otani) this (about dual-wielding): “Look, there are no rules here, so we will listen to you,” he said.
Coach Maddon was suddenly fired in the middle of 2022 when the team was in a slump. He was No. 1 in the world in 2016 when he was with the Cubs, but he never even made the playoffs with the Angels. Still, Otani is special. “Unless you spend every day with him, you can’t really appreciate him or understand everything about him,” he happily reflected.
Ohtani will be transferred to the Dodgers this season. “For him, winning is a top priority. It shows in his deferred payment contract. According to reports, he proposed it. I was surprised when I heard it, but (looking back on his past behavior) ) I’m not really surprised. It’s all about winning. He’s just a different guy.” Tomomasa, now 69 years old, is watching over him as he grows up like his own son.
(Full-Count Editorial Department)
2024-01-09 06:54:27
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