dodgers

Shohei Ohtani Signs $700M Deal With Dodgers, Largest Contract In Baseball History

by

Shohei Ohtani, baseball’s superstar, has signed a 10-year, $700M deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The deal is the largest in the history of baseball. Furthermore, it brings an end to the understated and surprisingly quiet sweepstakes for the most sought-after free agent in baseball. “I pledge to always do what’s best for the team and always continue to give it my all to be the best version of myself. Until the last day of my playing career, I want to continue to strive forward not only for the Dodgers but for the baseball world,” Ohtani wrote after the deal was announced.

Ohtani’s deal eclipses the previous record nearly by over $250M. The previous mark was $426.5M, set by Mike Trout’s 12-year deal with the Angels. “This is a unique, historic contract for a unique, historic player. Shohei is thrilled to be a part of the Dodgers organization. He is excited to begin this partnership, and he structured his contract to reflect a true commitment from both sides to long-term success. Shohei and I want to thank all the organizations that reached out to us for their interest and respect. Especially the wonderful people we got to know even better as this process unfolded. We know fans, media and the entire industry had a high degree of interest in this process, and we want to express our appreciation for their passion and their consideration as it played out,” Ohtani’s agent said in a statement.

Read More: Shohei Ohtani Reaches Historic Two-Way Player Milestone

Shohei Ohtani Will Hit, Not Pitch In 2024

Of course, Ohtani has established himself as the new definition of a two-way player. However, he not spend his first season in LA as a two-way player. Towards the end of the 2023 season, Ohtani tore his ulnar collateral ligament. Requiring surgery, Ohtani will not pitch next season. This will limit him to hitting duties, which he is likely to do from the designated hitter role.

As the news was announced, Ohtani thanked the Angels faithful for supporting him for the first six years of his MLB career. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved with the Angels organization and the fans who have supported me over the past six years. As well as to everyone involved with each team that was part of this negotiation process. Especially to the Angels fans who supported me through all the ups and downs, your guys’ support and cheer meant the world to me. The six years I spent with the Angels will remain etched in my heart forever,” Ohtani wrote.

Read More: Top 10 Athletes Of 2023

[via]

The post Shohei Ohtani Signs $700M Deal With Dodgers, Largest Contract In Baseball History appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

LeBron, Bronny, And Bryce James Enjoy Dodgers Game

by

LeBron James and his two sons, Bronny and Bryce, recently visited Dodger Stadium to see the Dodgers beat the Marlins. The trio appeared to have been in good spirits based on photos, which comes as a relief to fans following the 18-year-old’s recent health scare. It was LeBron James bobble-head night, meaning that fans had an opportunity to get a free souvenir in honor of the NBA star. He also received a massive check of $100K to go towards his LeBron James Family Foundation.

At the end of July, Bronny suffered a cardiac arrest during basketball practice at the University of Southern California. He was rushed to the hospital where he was stabilized, and released a few days later. He appears to have been doing well after the incident, however, it’s left some wondering how his health could impact his future in the sport. Shaquille O’Neal’s son, who’s played amid his own health struggles, weighed in earlier this week.

Read More: Shareef O’Neal Offers Encouraging Update About Bronny James’ Basketball Future

Bronny’s Health Emergency

LeBron, Bronny, And Bryce James Enjoy Dodgers Game
(L-R) Bronny James and Bryce James present the LeBron James with the Best Record-Breaking Performance award onstage during The 2023 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)

Shareef O’Neal underwent open heart surgery back in 2018 to treat a heart condition. He gave a promising response to questions about Bronny, claiming that “He’s good.” He added that the health scare shouldn’t have an impact on his career in sports. “I don’t think it will affect anything,” the 23-year-old explained.

Following the news of his son’s cardiac arrest, LeBron took to X to thank fans for their support. “I want to thank the countless people sending my family love and prayers,” he wrote. “We feel you and I’m so grateful. Everyone doing great. We have our family together, safe and healthy, and we feel your love. Will have more to say when we’re ready but I wanted to tell everyone how much your support has meant to all of us! #JamesGang.”

Read More: Charleston White Disses Bronny James While Live With Adin Ross

[Via]

The post LeBron, Bronny, And Bryce James Enjoy Dodgers Game appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Mookie Betts Rents Airbnb To Avoid Haunted Hotel

by

Who doesn’t love a good ghost story? The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee was built in 1893 and is reportedly one of the most haunted hotels in America. One common sighting is an elderly Victorian gentleman believed to be the hotel’s founder, Charles Pfister. The Pfister is located just a few blocks away from Lake Michigan.

However, the hotel is also a common choice for MLB teams in town to play the Brewers. In 2001, then-Dodger Adrian Beltre reportedly a loud banging on the wall behind his headboard, despite his room not adjoining any others. He reportedly slept for just two hours with a bat tucked up beside him. Furthermore, in 2008, then-Twin Carlos Gomez said his iPod began vibrating so hard it fell off his bedside table.

Betts Wants No Part Of The Pfister

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MAY 09: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at American Family Field on May 09, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

The Dodgers completed a three-game road series against the Brewers, going 2-1 against the Milwaukee team. As part of that trip, the Dodgers opted to stay at the Pfister. All but one Dodger that is. Starting right-fielder Mookie Betts opted to stay at an Airbnb with some friends. Now, that might seem like a perfectly reasonable thing to do when your travel intersects with that of some friends. However, Betts made it clear that the reputation of The Pfister definitely contributed to his decision. “It was a good excuse,” Betts told the Orange County Register. “You can tell me what happened after. I just don’t want to find out myself.”

Despite this, Betts ghost avoidance isn’t over for the season just yet. The Dodgers are set to stay at the Vinoy Renaissance in St Petersburg, Florida when they travel to play the Rays in late May. The Renaissance is yet another haunted hotel said to be home to trickster spirits. Many guests, including a former Pirates strength and conditioning coach, have seen a well-dressed man in their rooms. This is believed to be the hotel’s founder, Aymer Vinoy Laughner. The wife of a Toronto Blue Jays player also reported seeing the water turn on and off on its own while staying in the hotel’s Old Wing. It remains to be seen if Betts will find alternate accommodation for that road series too.

[via]

2024 MLB Season To Start In South Korea

by

Seven MLB seasons in the league’s 120-year history have begun outside the US and Canada. The first season to leave the home of the league’s 30 teams was 1999, when the season opener was played in Mexico. Five seasons have started in Tokyo, Japan, most recently in 2019. Finally, the 2014 season got underway in Sydney.

International games are becoming more and more common as the MLB attempts to replicate the success of the NFL in attracting a wider international audience. The MLB played games in London for the first time in 2019 and has returned several times after that. This year the Cubs and Cardinals will play in the British capital. What is unique about the MLB is that, unlike the NFL, there are premier baseball leagues located outside the United States. Now they will be heading to a brand new country next year.

Dodgers And Padres To Play In Korea

SAN DIEGO, CA – MAY 1: Ha-Seong Kim #7 of the San Diego Padres hits a three-run home run in the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds May 1, 2023 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

According to a source who spoke with ESPN, the MLB will play its first-ever games in South Korea in 2024. Korea is a major baseball nation and serves as home to the KBO League. Furthermore, there are currently five active Korean-born players on MLB teams. However, the MLB has never played games in South Korea. That is all set to change in 2024. NL West rivals Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres will face off in a two-game series in Korea. The location of the games has not been announced but it is likely that Seoul will be the venue for the two games. Sources also told ESPN that the games would be played early enough in the year to minimize the disruption for the Dodgers and Padres ahead of the rest of the season.

Of the two teams chosen, the Padres currently have Korean player on their roster. Infielder Ha-seong Kim has played with the team since 2021. Prior to joining the Padres, Kim played for six seasons in the KBO. The last time that the Dodgers had a Korean player on the roster was in 2019. That was last of six seasons that pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu spent in Los Angeles. KBO players are able to join MLB teams through a process called posting. The posting system allows MLB teams to bid on Japanese and Korean players as free agents. Are you excited to see the MLB head to Korea?

[via]

SOURCE SPORTS: L.A. Dodgers to Pay Pitcher Trevor Bauer Over $20 Million in Release

by
AP21104070679269

Trevor Bauer’s tenure as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers is officially over. The pitcher has been released, requiring the Dodgers to pay his remaining $22.5 million in his departure.

The Dodgers were attempting to trade Bauer by the Thursday (Jan. 12) afternoon deadline but were unable to find a trade partner, resulting in his release.

Bauer last pitched in 2021. He was shelved in the middle of the season after facing sexual assault allegations. Months later, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred issued Bauer a 324-game suspension, which eventually was cut to 194 games and immediate reinstation after a grievance was filed.

After signing a $100 million deal in Feb. 2021, Bauer was the subject of a domestic violence restraining order request by a 27-year-old San Diego woman. The woman stated she was assaulted in two separate sexual encounters at his home. Bauer maintained his innocence, and the case of a permanent restraining order against the pitcher was dismissed, and criminal charges were declined in Feb. 2022.

ESPN notes Bauer will be docked for 50 games of pay at the start of the 2023 season.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: L.A. Dodgers to Pay Pitcher Trevor Bauer Over $20 Million in Release appeared first on The Source.