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The Shohei Ohtani news cycle has mostly been in slumber since he stunned everyone by signing with the Angels in early December, but with pitchers and catchers reporting to camp Tuesday, it’s time to get the “Japanese Babe Ruth” hype rolling again.
Ohtani’s arrival to Tempe Diablo Stadium was apparently its own event, as hoards of media members flocked to watch him play catch. Below are a number of photos of media thirsting for some Ohtani content, because this is what you do at spring training when there’s no real news and a cold a stove:
#OhtaniWatch pic.twitter.com/fdNuXhYWnv
— Ryan Fagan (@ryanfagan) February 13, 2018
I count 53 media members, including myself, waiting by the entrance of the players/staff parking lot for Shohei Ohtani to arrive for his physical today. #OhtaniWatch pic.twitter.com/dljvniHj0Q
— Ryan Fagan (@ryanfagan) February 13, 2018
The scene outside the Angels' clubhouse pic.twitter.com/QTmLNpsVqd
— Maria I. Guardado (@mi_guardado) February 13, 2018
Shohei Ohtani will make news in Japan when he walks up the dugout tunnel to play catch at Angels camp today. https://t.co/X5fzNnCWjo pic.twitter.com/R4zHDdVnbv
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) February 13, 2018
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) February 13, 2018
Update: He’s throwing!
YOOOOhtani 👋! #ShoTime pic.twitter.com/uEbfQKpsIP
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) February 13, 2018
If the media hype isn’t enough, anonymous Angels players are already raving about his “stupid power” and ability to light up the radar gun:
#Angels player who worked out at complex today messaged me about Shohei Ohtani, "Stupid power. Effortless too. Then you just sit back and realize he has the potential to be an ace on the mound, too. Throwing 100."
— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) February 8, 2018
Honestly. After watching him take BP last week it’s hard to not buy into this Asian Ken Griffey Jr. hype:
https://twitter.com/Shoco_LAA17Fs11/status/961869591528943616
He’s also apparently very good at golf, according to Garrett Richards:
Garrett Richards said he played golf with Shohei Ohtani the other day. "He can hit a golf ball pretty well," Richards said.
— Maria I. Guardado (@mi_guardado) February 13, 2018