Famous person Shohei Ohtani lately hit his first dwelling run since signing a document $700 million free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers this previous offseason. His first homer as a Dodger got here throughout Wednesday evening’s win over the rival Giants: 

As Sam Blum of The Athletic experiences, long-time Dodgers fan Ambar Roman caught the ball and, as is customized, met with workforce officers to debate handing over the ball in order that Ohtani may have it as a souvenir. Blum particulars what had been, in response to Roman, high-pressure ways by the Dodgers to steer her at hand over the ball. Additionally notable is that this comment by Ohtani himself: 

“I used to be capable of discuss to the fan, and was capable of get it again,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “Clearly it is a very particular ball, numerous emotions towards it, I am very grateful that it is again.”

The issue is that Roman and her husband instructed Blum that they by no means met Ohtani, which places the seemingly benign quote above in a special mild. Let or not it’s famous, nonetheless, that Ohtani mentioned he “talked to” to the fan, whereas “met” is Roman’s phrase alternative in Blum’s story. Maybe that is a distinction with out a distinction, nevertheless it’s notable given {that a} translation is concerned. 

Talking of which, Ireton is kind of new to his function as Ohtani’s translator. That is as a result of Ohtani’s former translator, Ippei Mizuhara, is on the middle of a nonetheless unfolding playing scandal that has ensnared Ohtani himself. That, in fact, is the mandatory backdrop to any Ohtani story that goes past what he does on the sector. 

The fan, Roman, additionally alleged that the workforce shorted her on what she would contemplate a “honest” alternate for the deal, sending her dwelling with simply two signed hats and a signed bat and ball. A spokesperson for the Dodgers mentioned the workforce was “open to an additional dialog with the fan in regards to the transaction,” however didn’t touch upon whether or not or not Ohtani met or talked to her.