MLB Insider Apologizes For Getting the Shohei Ohtani Story Wrong
The baseball world was turned upside down on Friday as it followed the Shohei Ohtani story.
First, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that Ohtani's signing was "imminent." Then, internet sleuths were tracking private jet bookings and talking about Toronto-area dinner reservations as a way to prove that Ohtani was signing with the Blue Jays. There was also a report from a Dodgers website that said that Ohtani was picking Toronto.
But the real kicker came when Morosi put out a message on "X" that said Ohtani was "en route" to Toronto. This made people assume that Ohtani was signing with the Blue Jays, but then veteran reporter Bob Nightengale of USA Today pushed back on the report and said that Ohtani was actually in Southern California.
The social media community on "X" watched as the two reporters were in a virtual staredown, but then other reporters came to the defense of Nightengale.
Baseball fans went to bed disappointed on Friday night as there was no resolution to the story and we still don't know where Ohtani is playing in 2024 and beyond.
As the night reached its end, Morosi put out an apology on "X:"
Today, I posted reporting that included inaccurate information that Shohei Ohtani was traveling to Toronto. I regret the mistake and apologize to baseball fans everywhere. I am deeply sorry for letting you down.
Every reporter wants to be "first" on the Shohei Ohtani news, but in this case, it's more important to be "right."
Perhaps Ohtani will sign with the Blue Jays, but definitely wasn't on his way there on Friday.
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