MLB Analyst Inexplicably Calls Shohei Ohtani the Dodgers’ Most Important Signing Ever

This was one of the worst takes you'll see.

Fox Sports analyst Ben Verlander has been under fire since Tuesday when he inexplicably called Shohei Ohtani the "most important signing in Dodgers history." Here's his full quote, via Fox Sports on Twitter/X:

"It's the most important signing in Dodgers history." @BenVerlander breaks down the impact that the Shohei Ohtani-Dodgers deal will have on this season and beyond. pic.twitter.com/TJlbCOKCil

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) December 19, 2023

While Ohtani is a big signing — definitely among the biggest in baseball history — this take has not sat well with the baseball world, and understandably so.

The Dodgers organization is most famous for making the single most important signing in sports history, when they signed Jackie Robinson in 1947 and broke the color barrier.

Robinson and the Dodgers changed the entire world with that signing, and there's a reason the MLB celebrates him every year on April 15 by having all the players wear No. 42.

If you don't know the entire history of Robinson, you can click here for more information.

Additionally, in 1979, the Dodgers signed a young Mexican pitcher by the name of Fernando Valenzuela, bringing in an entire new fan base to the Dodgers and endearing them to the game of baseball.

Valenzuela became an icon in the Los Angeles community, and changed the game of baseball for an entire country.

To learn more about Valenzuela and "Fernandomania," you can click here.

Fans and players alike were understandably upset with Verlander's comments.

Here was longtime Dodgers fan favorite Justin Turner with some thoughts:

There is no #17 without #42. Come on man 🤯 #SMH #JackieRobinson #ComeOnMan #TerribleTake https://t.co/laqLKw0QSp

— Justin Turner (@redturn2) December 20, 2023

Or how about #34 ? He brought an entire displaced fan base back to #TheRavine #IfYouHaveaSombrero… https://t.co/0uN2ezgdsg

— Justin Turner (@redturn2) December 20, 2023

Fans from all across the baseball world spoke out about this take, too:

The Dodgers quite literally signed the player that BROKE THE COLOR BARRIER https://t.co/j93efZ03gV

— Addison (@YankeeWRLD) December 20, 2023

So important that maybe one day they’ll make a movie of this signing and call it ‘17’ 🤦🏻‍♂️ https://t.co/7QVRbPI3zQ

— Victor Rojas (@VictorRojas) December 20, 2023

Shohei wouldn't be here if not for this man. The ONLY number retired by all of baseball and even has a day where all the players wear his jersey and talk about the impact he had on the game.....you know Jackie Robinson day. https://t.co/XCRJ0Qy5ud pic.twitter.com/QcbCbJjQ54

— Billy (@rogue1_offroad) December 20, 2023

https://t.co/hy3hoezTks pic.twitter.com/7mErRhRcRk

— Calico Joe (@CalicoJoeMLB) December 20, 2023

Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation put it perfectly here:

Jackie Robinson is the most impactful signing in Dodgers history, baseball history, and in the history of professional sports. Maybe @BenVerlander will realize that when Shohei Ohtani is wearing #42 in a Dodgers uniform on April 15th next year?

— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) December 20, 2023

He also spoke about it on his show on the Dodgers Nation YouTube channel on Wednesday:

Verlander has long been a supporter of Ohtani, but he's taken it a bit too far. To say he's the "most important signing" in the history of a team that broke the color barrier and changed the sports world forever is about as tone deaf as a take can be.

Verlander and Fox Sports are yet to post an apology or clarification on the take, something many fans have been asking for.