09 December 2023 , 20:40
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Rob McElhenney cheekily offered former Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani the chance to sign for Wrexham AFC just moments before the MLB free agent agreed to join the Los Angeles Dodgers
Ohtani's future in baseball has been a topic of much contention ahead of his departure from the Angels after five years. The 29-year-old is one of the most prolific two-way players in recent history thanks to his abilities both at bat and in pitching - often compared to the likes of seven-time World Series champion Babe Ruth.
Following the end of his contract, he has now agreed to move to his former side's cross-town rivals after receiving an abundance of offers on the table. His new deal is worth a reported $700 million (£557m) in a move that has smashed his ex-Angels teammate Mike Trout’s record - a 12-year deal worth around £340 million.
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Despite millions of dollars on the table, a surprising offer to make the switch to football has been tabled by Wrexham's co-owner. In a tongue-in-cheek post on X shared with his 1 million followers, the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia actor suggested that Ohtani swap the United States for Wales.
"Note to Shohei Ohtani: January transfer window is just 22 days away and Welsh is a very easy language to learn!" his post read.
The post drew an interesting response from both baseball and football fans alike, with one user posting: "Bet no one has that on their 2023 Bingo card."
Another added that the two-way star could also bring his talents to the game in more than one position: "He would be the league’s best goalie while also leading the league in goals scored."
While McElhenney's suggestion is clearly a light-hearted jibe, Ohtani wouldn't be the only player to have enjoyed success while switching sports.
Eddy Alvarez impressed during his years as a 5000-meter speed skater - winning silver at the 2014 Winter Olympics - before making the switch to baseball. His move proved fruitful having won a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games on the US baseball team. He currently plays as an infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Alex Zanardi is another example following a motorsport career that saw him race in Formula One and claim 15 wins in Indycar racing. However, a devastating accident in 2001 during a race saw him forced to have both legs amputated. He would go on to compete in para-cycling, claiming three Paralympic Games gold medals, two silver medals and 12 World Championship gold medals.
The opposite has also occurred, with a famous example being Michael Jordan's venture into baseball. The six-time NBA champion played a total of 127 games for Birmingham Barons in which he struck out 114 times. Jordan would seek a return to the Chicago Bulls where he would claim his final three NBA championships.
While McElhenny won't be seeing Ohtani in a Wrexham shirt any time soon, the MLB star could watch from afar when the Red Dragons face Colchester United on Saturday, December 16 in the team's next League Two clash.