Former Angels Manager's Unique Approach with Shohei Ohtani

We hear all the time from current and former players about what it is like to take the field with Shohei Ohtani. Those that go up against him regard him as one of the most smartest and skilled players they've ever had to face. And those that are able to suit up as his teammate have highlighted just how well he handles the pressure of big moments and rises to those occasions.

Then you look at what it would be like for the manager of the Los Angeles Angels to be in charge of his routine and development and it may not be the easiest. You must take into consideration the fact that there is no other player in the sport like him right now. To be able to start off the 2023 season with ten strikeouts on opening day and also have the most hits on the team with 18 right now is incredible.

However, Joe Maddon had the pleasure of being able to manage the Halos up until last year and even though he wasn't always put in the best situations in terms of rosters, he was there during Ohtani's rise to his current stardom.

He spoke on what it was like to work alongside the 28-year-old phenom and Maddon revealed it was easier than most thought.

Joe Maddon offers his unique insight on managing Shohei Ohtani and how he would handle his two-way abilities moving forward. #MLBNow pic.twitter.com/dhghEL0RdG
— MLB Now (@MLBNow) April 18, 2023

"He makes everything easy," said Maddon. "The thing with him was that we had to establish the ground rules and the ground rules were that there are no rules. Once we empowered him to control his own destiny, it became really simple."

"It's just about him and his legs and his endurance and his ability to answer the bell everyday. it's incredible, it really is. Those that have never done anything like that, they have no idea what he goes through but Major League Baseball players will tell you that nobody can do it."

(Via MLB Now)

Maddon's comments only further prove why Ohtani will garner at least $500 million on his next contract.