Los Angeles Angels star pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani will be the starting pitcher, lead off hitter and play-by-play announcer for tonight’s Major League Baseball All-Star game, American League manager Kevin Cash announced.
Ohtani is leading baseball in home runs while also posting a 3.49 ERA with 11.7 K/9 as a pitcher. His likely MVP season is being called “historic” with comparisons being made to Hall of Famer Babe Ruth, but the added element of calling play-by-play is something Ruth never accomplished.
“I’m honored to be bat leadoff, be the starting pitcher and also replace Joe Buck,” Ohtani said through an interpreter, much to the anger of ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith. “If Coors Field management lets me, I’d also like to play the organ and be part of the grounds crew in the event of a rain delay.”
Cash would not comment as to whether Ohtani will sell hot dogs mid-game.