Shohei Ohtani wrapped up a season unlike almost any other in baseball history with one final flourish in Game 162.
Ohtani hit leadoff in the Los Angeles Angels’ season finale on the road against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday and connected on a home run — his 46th of the season — in his first at-bat to put an exclamation mark on a historic 2021 campaign that captivated fans in both the U.S. and Japan. The homer also gave the Japanese star his first 100-RBI season.
“It was a long season, but I’m happy I was able to reach the end in good shape,” Ohtani said during an on-field interview after the game, which the Angels won 7-3.