Shohei Ohtani, the favorite for American League MVP, is the first player who also pitches ever nominated as a finalist for the Hank Aaron Award, which is given to the best offensive player in each league.
What's in store this postseason? Who has locked up awards voting? And which non-playoff team is best set up for 2022? Jeff Passan answers 20 burning questions for October and beyond.
On the last day of the season, we had the dream of chaos and multiple tiebreaker games. Although the reality looks different, the topsy-turvy nature of Game 162 still should be celebrated.
October isn't in the cards, but there's still plenty of work to do. Here's what each non-playoff team needs to ask itself first.
— During Kyle Seager’s decade as the starting third baseman in Seattle, his overwhelming desire was finding a way to end the Mariners' long postseason drought.
Angels star Shohei Ohtani, speaking before Los Angeles' season finale on Sunday, said he is "very open" to a long-term contract with the club after four seasons in the majors.
— Mitch Haniger refused to let the Seattle Mariners unlikely run at postseason contention end with thud.
— After all the one-run games they've played this season, the Seattle Mariners were waiting for their next late-game hero to emerge.
Who is rising and falling with the end of the season mere days away?
— Adolis Garcia has been a bright spot throughout a 100-loss season for the Texas Rangers. After a long wait, the Cuban outfielder broke a pair of longstanding rookie records with one big swing.
Angels manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday that he spoke with Shohei Ohtani recently and the two decided he would not make his next scheduled start in Sunday's season finale against the Mariners.
— Shohei Ohtani sparked a four-run sixth-inning rally with his legs, and the Los Angeles Angels beat Texas 7-2 on Wednesday night to send the Rangers to their first 100-loss season since 1973.
There is a report out that Russell Westbrook wanted to come to LA but not to the Clippers. Sliwa thinks the stigma behind players not wanted to play for the Clippers is still alive. Plus, the fellas are very encouraged that the Lakers are thinking about one thing for this season: NBA Championship. Then, "Fact Or Cap" with the greatest Halloween villian and LeBron's water drinking habit. And, is Shohei Othani already fed up with the Angels?
Yes, there's still a month of playoff baseball before the offseason begins. But we couldn't wait to look ahead at one of the deepest classes in years.
Watching Ohtani play baseball has captivated millions from afar -- and the lucky few with a front-row seat describe it the same way as the rest of us: "the greatest thing we've seen in baseball history."
The Angels' two-way star is a virtual lock for AL MVP. Here's our list of his best moments of 2021, both at the plate and on the mound.
— Rookie Andy Ibanez’s two-run single highlighted a four-run second inning for Texas and fellow rookie A.J. Alexy won for the third time in four career starts as the Rangers beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-2 on Tuesday night to stave off their 100th...
Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon said two-way star Shohei Ohtani didn't mean he wants to leave the organization when he said earlier this week that his top priority is winning.
After pitching a gem in another losing effort, Shohei Ohtani said he loves the Angels but "more than that, I want to win."
— Shohei Ohtani wasn't enough to keep the Los Angeles Angeles from their sixth straight losing season.
— Shohei Ohtani tripled in his first two at-bats and the Los Angeles Angels routed Seattle 14-1 on Saturday night, ending the Mariners’ six-game winning streak and damaging their playoff chances.
Mike Trout, who hasn't returned to the lineup for the Angels since suffering a calf strain on May 17, has officially been shut down for the rest of the season. The three-time AL MVP had 8 home runs, 18 RBI and a 1.090 OPS in 36 games in 2021.
— Ty France homered, Jake Fraley scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error and the streaking Seattle Mariners held off the Los Angeles Angels 6-5 Friday night to keep pace in the AL wild-card chase.
— This time, the calls went Shohei Ohtani's way.
