Sho Time!
Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei OhtaniAfter his 2021 season, Ohtani will be featured on the cover of Sony’s MLB the Show 22 videogame. Ohtani, the first Asian-American athlete to grace the cover of a US video game centered on four major sports, made history.
Ohtani was also the first Angels player to appear on the cover of a video game of baseball.
Ohtani, speaking through an interpreter, said that she was excited about the possibility. “This game is rich in history. It’s the only game of baseball that has ever been played here. This makes it all the more exciting to me to play better and live up the hype.
Ohtani’s 2021 season in MLB was officially called “historically significant” after he was presented with the rare Historic Achievement Award by the commissioner. Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to be a two-way player, scoring more than 10 runs and 20 stolen bases, while also recording 100 strikeouts. Ohtani also earned the MVP award, becoming the first player in league history to be an All-Star as both a pitcher and a hitter, finishing the season hitting .257/.372/.592 with 46 homers, 100 RBIs and 4.9 bWAR as a hitter while tallying a 3.18 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 156 strikeouts in 130⅓ innings, a 9-2 record and a 4.1 bWAR as a pitcher.
Ohtani, 27 years old, says that he hopes his presence on the cover will help bring more people to the sport.
Ohtani explained that there were a few types. “I am sure there are many fans who love to play the videogame, but don’t actually watch it. And then there are people who just watch but never play the videogame. I’m trying bring the popularity back and to set an example for people who are watching the game. Sony and San Diego Studios are going the opposite way by creating a videogame to try to make the game more popular. It’s a winning combination that aims to bring back the popularity of the whole game.
Ohtani stated that he was honored to be the first Asian athlete featured on The Show’s cover.
Ohtani explained that she knows there are many Asian people who don’t know her yet. “I hope that by being on The Show cover, you get me out there to the people who don’t yet know me.”
MLB The Show has included several cover stars Miguel Cabrera, Josh Donaldson, Adrian Gonzalez, Bryce Harper, Ken Griffey Jr., Ryan Howard, Aaron JudgeJoe Mauer Andrew McCutchen, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Yasiel Puig, David Wright, Javier Báez and Fernando Tatis Jr.