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Shohei Ohtani Won't Be Honored by Angels in Return to Stadium After Dodgers Contract

Zach Bachar

Shohei Ohtani won't receive any acknowledgement from the Los Angeles Angels when he returns to Angel Stadium as a visitor on Tuesday night.

The Angels said that they have no plans to honor Ohtani as of Monday, per Sam Blum of The Athletic. However, a spokesperson for the team revealed that a potential change is still possible.

Ohtani left the Angels in free agency following the 2023 season, signing a massive 10-year contract with an overall value of $700 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Angels didn't appear to be a serious contender to bring back the 30-year-old. Team owner Arte Moreno told Ohtani's representatives that he was out on the two-way superstar early in free agency and figured that his contract would "start" at around $400 million, according to Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci.

Ohtani doesn't appear to feel any animosity towards his old team, thanking them during his American League MVP acceptance speech on Jan. 27.

"To the Angels organization -- ownership, front office and the entire staff -- thank you for the past six years," he said, via Manny Randhawa of MLB.com. "I always appreciated your support and allowing me the opportunity to play this game I'm so passionate about."

While he wasn't able to make a postseason appearance with the Angels during his tenure with the team, Ohtani still established himself as a star on the mound and at the plate. He ranks No. 8 on the organization's all-time home run leaderboard and also holds the No. 19 spot on the Angels' all-time strikeout list.

Ohtani's been limited to strictly hitting in 2024, but that hasn't stopped him from putting together another historic season. He's hitting .292 with 44 homers and 98 RBIs to go along with an National League-leading .993 OPS.

He's also recorded 46 steals and could become the first player in MLB history to reach 50 home runs and 50 steals in a single year by the end of the season.

Ohtani will return to his old stomping grounds on Tuesday at 9:38 p.m. ET.

   

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