Shohei Ohtani’s decision to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers was the biggest move of the MLB offseason, and the largest money deal in the history of sports.
On Thursday, Ohtani celebrated his new contract with a trip to SoFi Stadium to watch the Los Angeles Rams take on the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football.
The Rams honored Ohtani’s presence by offering him a customized jersey complete with his name and number before the game.
A grateful Ohtani held up the jersey with pride as pictures were taken. Welcome to Los Angeles, buddy!
Shohei Ohtani in the building for Rams-Saints 👏
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 22, 2023
(via @RamsNFL)pic.twitter.com/3ygSsV7jNv
As some fans were quick to note, the exchange was a bit comical because while it felt like the Rams were welcoming Ohtani to the City of Angels, the two-way superstar already played for the Los Angeles Angels before his decision to sign with the Dodgers.
Buddy didn’t even have to move. He’s been in LA his whole career. https://t.co/Bxx20b54wn
— Cody Brown (@codybrown1992) December 22, 2023
This just shows how little people care about The LA Angels.
— Joshua Andrew Smith (@jasmithactor) December 22, 2023
Man signed with the other team in the market and is being treated like the Pope coming to America.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 #MLB #Ohtani #Dodgers #Angels #nfl #TNFonPrime https://t.co/uHh2TaM7rc
Shoehi Ohtani has been playing in LA for the last six years 😂 Anaheim is literally a two hour drive from LA #RamsHouse #NFL #Dodgers @Dodgers https://t.co/XfPXAdFqPp
— Kenny The Sports Guy Podcast (@kenny_sports) December 22, 2023
This is proof how small the footprint is for the Angels in SoCal.
— Jonathan Von Tobel (@meJVT) December 22, 2023
Ohtani has been in SoCal since 2018 and we're acting like he's coming in for the first time!!!! https://t.co/gpNzPXg0yS
It wasn’t the only joke fans had about the interaction, with some fans of other California sports franchises frustrated they didn’t get Ohtani in their stadium first, and others still wondering what two positions Ohtani was destined to play when he decided to pursue an NFL career.
YOU LITERALLY SHARE A STADIUM WITH ANOTHER TEAM, THIS AIN’T YOUR HOUSE LMAOOOOO https://t.co/r0fVb09Fny
— Eri (@EriReynolds) December 22, 2023
it should’ve been a 49ers jersey😔 https://t.co/nXdyiMrDEN
— soph ✨ (@sophhmourad) December 22, 2023
He’d look better in the Chargers’ powder blue gear js lol https://t.co/WjogO4LgXT
— Rich Vos (@fjop1310) December 22, 2023
The Dodgers/9ers fans watching this https://t.co/6OTfQYcQR4 pic.twitter.com/tKv0Jp4xcC
— NOtown Dodgers (@bdez559) December 22, 2023
Could see Ohtani as a QB/punter combo https://t.co/oDroXTx09I
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) December 22, 2023
QB SHOHEI 😌pic.twitter.com/v7Kdt7MdCd
— 44 🍊 (@gloomrange) December 22, 2023
I feel like Ohtani can be a better DB than Derion Kendrick. The man can do anything https://t.co/loZm4vnZMr
— Lemon Pepper Lou (@LVstackiN) December 22, 2023
