Everything you’d expect from Anthony Bass’ locker, located in the visiting clubhouse at Angel Stadium, was there: his jerseys, shoes, and glove. Additionally, there was a gold and black Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters shirt that bore the insignias of “Ohtani” and “11” from that 2016 Nippon Professional Baseball season, when the two-way sensation from the Angels and Bass were colleagues.
In order to surprise Shohei Ohtani, the 2021 American League MVP, before Tuesday afternoon’s game and get his autograph, Bass had the jersey sent to him from overseas. “To Anthony, 2016 Japan Champion.” was the inscription that came with the autograph.
“I’m sure he doesn’t see this jersey very often,” the reliever from the Miami Marlins stated while showing the jersey to the press. “It must evoke pleasant recollections for him.”
Among all the souvenirs I’ve ever gotten, this one will rank at the top. In 2016, I had the honor of winning the Japan Championship with the Fighters alongside Shohei Ohtani. Today, he signed this jersey that we wore when we won it for me. Quite unique! photo.twitter.com/S2UK46vtNl ”
(@AnthonyBass52) by Anthony Bass The 12th of April, 2022
The skills that Ohtani is currently displaying in the Major Leagues were observed by Bass. At the tender age of 22, Ohtani won the Pacific League MVP award with a career-best 1.86 ERA, 174 strikeouts, and 45 walks in 140 innings pitched.
Ohtani came dangerously close to requiring Bass’ relief to help him win a game at one point.
Bass recalled that he started the season-ending match against the Seibu Lions. Their аttаck was solid; they had some hitting ability. In the tenth, I was getting ready to go in case he got into difficulty. He ended it with a side strike.
The hitting prowess of Ohtani was also on full show for Bass. Ohtani had a.382 OBP (on 104 games) with 22 home runs, 18 doubles, and 67 RBI. His on-base percentage was.416 and his batting average was.322.
The phrase “ten-tool player” was coined by Bass to describe him. All of it falls on him.
Even for Bass, these memories hold a unique place. After that one season in Japan, his career took a drаmаtic turn for the better. He made 37 appearances, threw 103 2/3 innings, and had a 3.65 ERA, 71 strikeouts, and 47 walks. In addition to the championship-clinching victory, Bass was the winning pitcher in three of the Fighters’ four victories in the Japan Series. That was also the moment he demonstrated he was almost as good with the bat as his multi-talented buddy.
To help him out, “Ohtani was on deck to [pinch-Һit] for me,” recalls 34-year-old Bass. And then, right before the game ended, the manager had me bat solo by calling him back. I lined out to the middle of the plate on the second pitch. The response from Ohtani was, “I had faith in your abilities.'”