Shohei Ohtani thanks Angels support staff with Home Run Derby earnings

In a historic All-Star campaign, Angels two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani did one of the more unselfish acts you will ever hear.

Just when you thought Shohei Ohtani couldn’t get more awesome, he goes out and does something like this.

The Angels first-time All-Star and two-way phenom recently participated in the 2021 Home Run Derby on Monday. Ohtani was knocked out in double overtime during the first round against Washington All-Star Juan Soto in an exciting battle between the two.

He still earned $150K for his participation, but Ohtani chose to donate his winnings to around 30 members of the Angels staff as a thank you for their work. Ohtani distributed the prize money to the team’s trainers, clubhouse workers, and media relations staff.

Angels: Shohei Ohtani had time to thank team staff

Ohtani is in the midst of a historic All-Star campaign, consistently playing at a high level as both a pitcher and hitter this season.

At the plate, Ohtani is slashing .279/.364/.698 with 33 home runs and 70 RBIs in 343 plate appearances this season. He currently leads all major-league hitters in homers and slugging percentage, and ranks second in the majors in OPS, and third in RBIs. Ohtani also ranks among MLB’s leaders in multiple offensive Statcast categories this year.

His numbers as a pitcher aren’t that of Jacob deGrom, not that many players can match that, but it’s still very impressive given the major injuries that have limited Ohtani to just five outings on the mound prior to this season.

In 13 starts, Ohtani has posted a 3.49 ERA, 1.209 WHIP, and an 11.7 K/9 rate over 67 innings pitched. Ohtani took the win after starting the 2021 MLB All-Star game, an outing where he also batted leadoff.

Unless you were alive to see Babe Ruth early in his career, there hasn’t been another player who has consistently hit for power while pitching in any big-league season. What Ohtani is doing is truly special and much needed for the game of baseball.

The next step for the underachieving Angels is to get to Ohtani to the postseason, where his talents can be on the displayed on the game’s biggest stage for the world to see.