Shohei Ohtani had the coolest gift for Kody Clemens after striking out on a 68 mph pitch
Detroit Tigers infielder Kody Clemens knows a thing or two about pitching greatness. After all, his father is Roger Clemens. But where the elder Clemens dominated opponents with his velocity, Kody is known for his off-off-OFF-speed pitches during occasional mop-up innings.
But you have to give Kody credit. He’ll forever have bragging rights over his dad — only one of them struck out Shohei Ohtani.
During Monday’s lopsided loss to the Angels, Clemens struck Ohtani out looking on a 68 mph “eephus” pitch, and Clemens was pumped. He made sure to save the baseball like he had just recorded his first big-league hit. It was an obvious show of respect for Ohtani, who is putting together another historic season as a two-way star.
Yet, the moment got even better because Ohtani was just a tremendous sport about the strikeout.
Clemens shared on Instagram on Tuesday that Ohtani signed the strikeout ball and left the message, “What a nasty pitch!”
I mean, that’s just so awesome. And the pitch really wasn’t bad.
It’s obviously easier to have fun with the moment after a two-homer game, but that sense of humor is another reason Ohtani is a must-see talent. He knew how much that strikeout meant to Kody, so he went along with the autograph request. That kind of gesture makes him so easy to root for.
Fans loved that gift from Ohtani too.