Shohei Ohtani throws heaters, impresses fans in 2021 MLB All-Star Game
![Shohei Ohtani, LA Angels. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fhalohangout-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2021-2F07-2F16403230-850x560-d6f2600a8c0a69303400394bc1a3a0b5.jpg)
Shohei Ohtani was lights out in the 2021 MLB All-Star Game, representing the LA Angels very well.
He started on the bump, going three-up, three-down in just 14 pitches. He did this against a star-studded top of the NL All-Star lineup; facing Fernando Tatis Jr., Max Muncy, and Nolan Arenado.
Don’t sleep on what we just witnessed. An MLB player competing in the HR Derby, leading off the All-Star Game, and pitching a clean first inning for his team. Shohei Ohtani. Historic.
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) July 14, 2021
Historic it was. Shohei Ohtani’s so amazing that the league literally had to change the rules of the game so the Ace could start on the mound as well as start the game as a DH in the leadoff spot.
Shohei Ohtani put the LA Angels on the map once again with his dominance in the 2021 MLB All-Star Game.
Shohei Ohtani put all of his silly velocity critics in their place during his outing.
Shohei Ohtani’s first inning of the 2021 All-Star Game:
— Brent Maguire (@bmags94) July 14, 2021
•Grounded out against Max Scherzer as the leadoff hitter (89.5 mph exit velocity)
•1-2-3 inning as the starting pitcher against Fernando Tatis Jr., Max Muncy, and Nolan Arenado (two whiffs, 98.1 mph avg. fastball velo) pic.twitter.com/vZGxCZmERx
Ohtani hit 100 a few times in just the 14 pitches, which is pretty insane considering he showed his strength at the plate just last night in the Home Run Derby. He’s the only player in Derby history to ever record six 500-foot bombs in a Home Run Derby.
Shohei Ohtani's MLB All-Star showing:
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 14, 2021
Last night: 513-foot home run
Tonight: 100.2 MPH fastball pic.twitter.com/rPE4ABfHyL
That 100.2 mph fastball was the hardest pitch he’s thrown all year. His second-hardest was a 100.1 mph fastball he threw in his first start of the season.
There’s only one other Japanese-born pitcher to start the game (Hideo Nomo in ’95). The dude’s a cheat code. We already knew this, but being able to watch him accomplish this on a stage this huge is important.
Next. Angels better hope wild draft strategy prevails
Just being able to leadoff the game as the starting DH as well as start on the mound was an accomplishment in itself, but doing what he’s done throughout the entire All-Star break cements himself as the face of baseball.