Angels Face Backlash for Shohei Ohtani Snub

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Apr 21, 2026 8:10 AM ET

Shohei Ohtani began his MLB career with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018 after signing from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. The Angels, who pursued him aggressively as an international free agent, gave the then-23-year-old the opportunity to become a full-time two-way player.

But his time in Anaheim came to an abrupt end. In December 2023, Ohtani signed a then-record 10-year, $700 million contract with crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Both parties have since moved on from the split. However, a recent move by the Angels raised eyebrows on social media and reignited questions about the current relationship between the franchise and one of its greatest players.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17)© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

On Sunday, the team posted a video on X celebrating 60 years of calling Angel Stadium, known as The Big A, home. The clip featured highlights spanning six decades of franchise history but included no footage or mention of Ohtani.

Fans quickly reacted to the omission, with many calling out the franchise on X.

60 years of calling The Big A "home" ️ pic.twitter.com/KbViJH2YwN
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) April 19, 2026

“Clowns. At least show Ohtani winning his 2 MVP's,” one fan posted.

“That's insane, seriously,” another wrote. “Don’t you have any pride in being the team the GOAT first belonged to!?”

“They included the Los Angeles Rams in this video but they did not show Shohei Ohtani at all ,” a third joked.

“No Ohtani is wild lol,” another said.

“He’s the only reason anybody was talking about the angels in the last few yrs,” one user added. “If you’re going to show your teams history, why wouldn’t you include a generational talent and ROY & 2-time MVP ?”

“They don’t want to be reminded of their foolishness,” another reacted.

Shohei Ohtani’s Success With Dodgers After Angels Stint

Over six seasons with the Angels from 2018 to 2023, Ohtani posted a .274 batting average with 171 home runs and 437 RBIs in 701 games. On the mound, he went 41-20 with a 3.01 ERA and 688 strikeouts in 546⅔ innings. He captured two unanimous AL MVP awards in 2021 and 2023, becoming the first player in MLB history to win the award unanimously twice.

But the Angels never reached the postseason during his tenure despite his production alongside three-time AL MVP Mike Trout.

After leaving Anaheim, Ohtani has led the Dodgers to one of their most successful stints in franchise history while the Angels have struggled to rebuild their roster and fan interest. In his first season in Los Angeles, he delivered the first 50-home run, 50-stolen base season in MLB history and helped the Dodgers win their eighth World Series.

He repeated as NL MVP in 2025, hitting .282 with 172 hits, 55 home runs, 102 RBIs, 146 runs scored and a 1.014 OPS in 158 games while adding 20 stolen bases. Ohtani also returned to the mound for 47 innings with a 2.87 ERA and 62 strikeouts. The Dodgers repeated as World Series champions, with Ohtani earning NLCS MVP honors.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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