A year after becoming the American League's unanimous MVP, Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani continues to shine, and it is worth noting that without a fearless organization behind him from the start of his pro career in Japan in 2013 the batting and pitching star's story would be quite different.
Although Ohtani's two-way role was necessitated by the need to keep him from going to the United States as a pitcher out of high school, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters committed 100% to the novel decision.
Trey Hillman, who managed the Fighters in the Pacific League from 2003 to 2007, said in retrospect, nurturing Ohtani's unusual skill set was in keeping with the team's knack for setting trends and being different.