Angels Fans React to Shohei Ohtani Signing With Dodgers
Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani broke the internet on Saturday, when he announced he would be signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers. An Angel since he left Japan after the 2017 season, Ohtani ended the speculation around his free agent decision, even thanking the Angels in his Instagram post announcing his decision to leave.
Many Angels fans did not expect Ohtani to return, but until Saturday they could at least maintain some level of hope. They had been mentioned over the past week as a serious suitor to bring him back. But in the end, Ohtani accepted the Dodgers' last-minute offer.
Now he will be playing across town, which has irked some fans. Regardless of the proximity, the thought that Ohtani will no longer be an Angel is now reality.
Angels Insider Sam Blum of The Athletic spoke with some Angels fans after the fact and saw just how much Ohtani meant to them. The team quickly took down the mural of Ohtani hanging up at Angel Stadium.
Longtime fan Sebastian Romeo came to Angel Stadium after the news, holding up a sign reading "Sell the team, Arte!" His passion for the Angels runs deep enough to make his feelings known.
“I haven’t eaten breakfast yet, I haven’t drank anything. I woke up, and saw Ohtani to the Dodgers and had a good cry in my shower,” Romero said, the speed of his voice increasing as he appeared to be holding back more tears. “This is one of the few things I’m very, very, very passionate about.”
Angels fan Julian Cedillo also gave some insight into how he's been feeling since the news broke.
“It was six years of excellence,” Cedillo said. “I’ve been an Angels fan my entire life. It feels like a piece of me died."
Ohtani has meant the world to the game of baseball, but also to the fans of the Angels. He boosted attendance and memories over the last six seasons as much as any player, so this stings heavily.
“It’s sad to see it come down,” Cedillo said. “He meant so much to this franchise. We’re a small franchise. To see a superstar like him leave us, it hurts.”
Luckily fans will get to still see him play up close, but they'll have to travel to Dodger Stadium the majority of the time. When the Dodgers comes to Anaheim in Sept. 2024, Ohtani should expect a massive ovation from the loyal fans who supported him over the years.
