Despite suffering a torn UCL — which ended his season as a pitcher — Shohei Ohtani joined his Angels teammates on the flight to New York and was active as a designated hitter for the series against the Mets.
It didn’t take long for the Angels star to leave a mark at Citi Field … literally.
Batting in the first inning of Saturday’s game, Ohtani turned on a breaking ball and narrowly missed a home run as the ball drifted foul. But keep an eye on the ribbon board just beyond the foul pole. Ohtani managed to blow out the lights on a panel.
Shohei Ohtani knocked out a bulb in the scoreboard on a long foul ball.
Ohtani later doubled to right-center. pic.twitter.com/0kQmIDA4gD
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 26, 2023
Now, the Mets are having a miserable season, but many expect owner Steve Cohen to make a run at Ohtani this offseason (even if the UCL injury impacts Ohtani’s pitching future). That didn’t stop the scoreboard operator from having a sense of humor about the damage done to Citi Field’s ribbon board.
During that same at-bat, a message on the videoboard claimed that Ohtani was going to receive a bill from the Mets.
Shohei Ohtani broke some lights at Citi Field with a line drive and Uncle Steve is gonna make sure to get his money 😭
(via @jmb9191) pic.twitter.com/yfyXlN8aGZ
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 27, 2023
I’d love to think that an invoice was waiting for Ohtani in his locker, but something tells me that Cohen can cover the damage himself.
Fans did enjoy the scoreboard operator’s joke, though.
This was how Twitter reacted
Love the message to Ohtani on the Citi Field scoreboard! https://t.co/kirD3RUkOf
— Ohtani-san (@Ohtani_Fans) August 26, 2023
Lmao 😂 Steve is gonna sign this man I can see it https://t.co/yNY03gBS7H
— Nathan (@NathanH1998_) August 27, 2023
This. Is. Hilarious. #LGM https://t.co/l7DM8KPhu5
— Carl Gorney (@buffalocharging) August 27, 2023
Sources: Ohtani was heard saying, “tell Steve to just take it out my contract.” https://t.co/9T397TdjU2
— JEA 🇲🇽 (@JEABitW) August 27, 2023
But if you come to the Mets, we’ll waive off that bill. 🤣#ShoheiOhtani https://t.co/4vSPs2w472
— Jess (@j_halo7) August 27, 2023
"We're sending you the bill for that, Shohei" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/pmBVq67Rap
— Raisa¹⁷ ⚾️💫 (@hunniesho) August 26, 2023
They need the money back after spending 200 million. https://t.co/ohsPWJ5QDc
— Angels Tweeter (Nolan's Year) (@LAATweeter) August 26, 2023
#1 Mets highlight from the 22-23 season. https://t.co/DHhpacJ7XJ
— Yisroel Solomon (@YisroelSolomon) August 27, 2023
This is fantastic. https://t.co/MjxKbhUv2G
— Maury Brown (@BizballMaury) August 27, 2023
