When Shohei Ohtani made his monumental move across town to the Los Angeles Dodgers, one small detail caught the attention of fans amidst the historic contract: his jersey number. After sporting the iconic No. 17 for the majority of his career, first with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan and then with the Los Angeles Angels, many expected him to continue the tradition. However, upon joining the Dodgers, Ohtani initially donned No. 11, a temporary placeholder as his preferred number was already taken.
The Sweet Story Behind Ohtani's Dodgers No. 17
The man holding No. 17 for the Dodgers was veteran pitcher Joe Kelly. A beloved figure in the clubhouse, Kelly and his wife, Ashley, became central to one of the most heartwarming stories of Ohtani’s transition. Ashley, known for her engaging personality, had launched a social media campaign to persuade Ohtani to join the Dodgers. After he signed, she then took matters into her own hands to broker the jersey number transfer, offering it to Ohtani in exchange for a philanthropic donation or... the name of his dog.
What followed was a moment of pure gold. In a viral video, Ashley Kelly, wearing a custom "Ohtani" jersey, presented the No. 17 to Ohtani, jokingly demanding to know his dog's name in return. Ohtani, with his characteristic shy smile, revealed his dog's name, "Decoy" (later clarified as Dekopin or Decoy). In a delightful twist of appreciation, Ohtani later gifted Ashley a brand new Porsche Taycan, a lavish thank-you for the number and the warm welcome from the Kellys.
So, Ohtani proudly wears No. 17 for the Dodgers, a number that now symbolizes not just his incredible talent, but also a charming anecdote of camaraderie, good humor, and a very generous gesture within the baseball community. It's a number that perfectly encapsulates the blend of superstardom and genuine connection that defines Shohei Ohtani's new chapter in Los Angeles.
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