Someone needs to ask Shohei Ohtani a simple question: What is the point of all this secrecy surrounding his free agency? For the past four months, there has been an eerie silence from Ohtani, leaving fans and teams in the dark. This approach is completely contradictory to the way Ohtani competes and the passion he has for his craft. Instead of being a celebration of baseball, Ohtani’s journey through free agency has been joyless and unnecessarily secretive.
An Opportunity to Generate Excitement
Ohtani possesses more leverage than any player in history. Every team wants him, and they are willing to offer him a significant amount of money. This should be an exciting time for baseball fans, with dreams of Ohtani joining their favorite team’s lineup. However, the whole process feels like delicate negotiations for a secret spy swap, with silence and threats surrounding his decision. Executives from various clubs have expressed frustration at the warnings they received from Ohtani’s camp about discussing their efforts to sign him. The secrecy has dampened the excitement that should be surrounding his free agency.
During the All-Star Game, Ohtani is known for circulating among his temporary teammates, laughing, signing autographs, and posing for pictures. His unique talent and respected presence could have made his free agency an opportunity for celebration. Unfortunately, this has not been the case. Recently, Ohtani was awarded the Most Valuable Player, and even the name of his dog became a topic of secrecy. Despite being one of the greatest international baseball stars since Babe Ruth, the potential impact of his free agency has been squandered due to unnecessary secrecy and paranoia.
What if Ohtani had approached his free agency with a progressive mindset that aimed to uplift the sport and engage with fans? Consider his visit with the Toronto Blue Jays. Instead of remaining silent about the meeting, Ohtani could have held a Zoom call with reporters after the visit. He could have praised Toronto, talked about the team’s new spring training complex, and highlighted the strengths of the Blue Jays’ players. Furthermore, he could have announced a significant donation to Jays Care, a charity that supports children. By doing so, Ohtani would have elevated the organization and its players, while raising awareness for a worthy cause. This approach could have been applied to every team he considered, leaving a positive mark on each franchise.
While Ohtani is entitled to his privacy, it is crucial to recognize the role that fans play in sports. The biggest stars in sports history, such as Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter, and Patrick Mahomes, understood the importance of connecting with the media and the fans. Ohtani has not fully embraced this opportunity. By speaking with the media, he would have been speaking directly to the patrons of the sport – the fans who support and pay to watch the games. By actively engaging with the media and fans, Ohtani could have served the game he loves and further cemented his place as one of its brightest stars.
A Lost Chance to Serve the Game
As Ohtani nears his decision amidst this self-imposed information blackout, he is missing a golden opportunity to serve the game of baseball. His unique skill set and superstar status could have been used to uplift and promote the sport. Unfortunately, Ohtani’s free agency will be remembered for its secrecy and missed opportunities rather than the excitement and celebration it could have brought to baseball.
Shohei Ohtani’s historic free agency could have been a momentous occasion for baseball, generating excitement and celebrating the game. However, the unnecessary secrecy and lack of engagement from Ohtani have turned it into a joyless and secretive process. As one of the most talented players in the world, Ohtani has missed a chance to uplift the sport and connect with fans. Hopefully, in the future, players will recognize the importance of fan connection and seize the opportunities to promote the game they love.