Texas Rangers All-Star Josh Jung: 'Super Cool' Being Around Shohei Ohtani

Rookie third baseman Josh Jung shares the Texas Rangers clubhouse with five fellow All-Stars, so being around the best in the game is nothing new.

But how about being around an All-Star Game teammate that may go on to become the best player of all time?

That’s just, well, cool.

Jung laughed when asked if he was sacred to say hello to Shohei Ohtani. Jung, however, couldn’t contain his excitement about sharing the same space in Seattle with the Los Angeles Angels’ two-way sensation.

“It’s super cool to be around him in the clubhouse setting,” Jung said. “Last time we faced him, I think he hit like five homers and just destroyed us back at our place. To be in the same locker room is super cool. He’s a superstar.”

Ohtani, the MLB leader with 32 home runs, won't pitch in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park, but will bat second for the American League squad behind Texas second baseman Marcus Semien. The rest of the Rangers in the starting lineup are shortstop Corey Seager batting cleanup, right fielder Adolis García is sixth, Jung is eighth and catcher Jonah Heim is ninth. (García lost in the first round of Monday’s Home Run Derby.)

Rangers ace Nathan Eovaldi is also on the AL pitching staff.

As for Ohtani, the pitcher/slugger is set to be a free agent this offseason and will likely command the biggest contract in the history of team sports. The Rangers have been mentioned as a dark horse in the Ohtani sweepstakes, but it’s uncertain if Texas will be in the running.

The possibility of trading for Ohtani has also been broached should the Angels fall out of contention by the Aug. 1 trade deadline.

Jung figures to share future clubhouses with Ohtani, with All-Star Games being the probable location, so saying hi shouldn’t be a problem going forward.

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