Imagine Michael Jordan on the Wizards during his prime, Tom Brady on the Browns until his golden days were over, Tiger Woods on the LIV golf tour until they found out he cheated on his wife. All of these scenarios would have robbed us of historic postseason moments and the potential to see these players at the peak of their powers, in the direst of situations. That is exactly what is happening in Anaheim, California right in front of our very eyes as the Angels deal with the legendary talent of Shohei Ohtani. As I write this, the Angels are 9 games back of the third wild card spot, essentially sealing their spot for a trip to Cabo instead of the MLB postseason. Usually, as a Red Sox fan, I wouldn’t give two shits if the Angels made the playoffs or not, but over the last few years I’ve grown a real affection for the lovable, insanely talented Japanese pitcher/hitter/do-whatever-you-need-him-to-do, Ohtani. My love for Ohtani has led me to outrage over the way the Angels have treated this man’s incredible talent and potential career.

            Ohtani was signed by the Angels in 2018 and immediately made an impact on baseball. His line drive, powerful home runs, mixed with his lethal fastball and breaking ball makes him a once in a life time player in any sport. The Angels are, however, not once in a lifetime, they aren’t even run of the mill, they are just straight up bad and pretty much have been since their 2002 World Series (shoutout Troy Glaus). You think their franchise would turn it around, sign some much need players once they got a star such as Ohtani, but the front office of the Angels keeps floundering in that department. They sign mediocre players and expect Trout and Ohtani to do all the heavy lifting, it just doesn’t work like that. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, they also have Mike fucking Trout, who, if Ohtani isn’t the best player ever, is probably the best player ever.

            All I wish to see is Ohtani under the bright lights of October coming off the mound and heading straight for his helmet and bat, ready to face the opposing pitcher’s closer with a chance to win it all. Imagine the pandemonium, imagine the viewership. A player hasn’t pitched and hit other than ninth in the batting order in a World Series, since Babe Ruth. It would be epic, grandiose, larger than life, but we are being robbed of it by the Los Angeles Angels. Luckily for all of us, Ohtani becomes a free agent this offseason and the chances the Angels signing him again are low. Let’s just all hope he goes to a contender next year, as long as it isn’t the Yankees.