What is sho in baseball

Even if a pitcher throws nine shutout innings, he is not credited with a shutout if the game goes into extra innings. If a game is shortened by rain, a pitcher is still credited with a shutout if he allows no runs and pitches the entire contest. Shutout SHO Definition A starting pitcher is credited with a shutout when he pitches the entire game for a team and does not allow the opposition to score.

In A Call "blanking," "blanked," "held scoreless". More from Pitching. Connect with MLB. All rights reserved. The All-Star Game and its surrounding festivities have always been a time for players to appreciate other players. Cameras cut to the sidelines to show MVP and Cy Young candidates filming the derby on their phones or their kids asking for autographs.

Here's what fans don't often see: Other players becoming fans themselves, the hoards of fans back home in Japan who regard him as a heartthrob and the gaggle of media members chronicling his every move.

The Angels beat has swelled from three writers to a number that varies from depending on the game. There are members, sometimes more, from the Japanese media that cover Ohtani on a daily basis, including TV crews, radio personalities, national writers, wire outlet stringers and even a dedicated writer from his hometown newspaper in Oshu City. Several of them travel with the Angels. There may be even more media members next season when COVID travel restrictions are expected to loosen and the reporters who covered the Olympic Games in Tokyo come stateside.

The club carefully manages his media, though it should be noted that there is no diva treatment. He speaks to the media following his pitching performances like every other starting pitcher in the league does, and the Angels will often have him speak with reporters after notable home runs or big offensive performances as well. When Detroit Tigers broadcaster Jack Morris used a racist accent during one of Ohtani's at-bats, Ohtani addressed the media.

Personally, I'm not offended, and I didn't take anything personally," he said, through an interpreter. He has a big influence in the baseball world. It's kind of a tough spot. The sheer amount of media he faces would be overwhelming for even the most loquacious players, but a lot is asked of Ohtani and his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, to begin with. The way he has deftly handled the myriad requests and interviews in three languages—English, Japanese and Spanish—has not gone unnoticed.

But he's always a pro, he's always got a smile on his face. So I really respect it. I think his patience is something that he's had for a long time and was probably instilled in him when he was a kid. Mizuhara has been with Ohtani throughout his MLB career.

The role of an interpreter goes beyond just media requests. Interpreters are often conditioning partners, bullpen catchers and liaisons between players, managers, coaches, trainers and teammates.

There is not only a language barrier but also a cultural one that exists for many players of foreign descent.

Interpreters like Mizuhara guide players through games and through their adjustments to the United States. Mizuhara is there to facilitate the pitches that catchers are calling for as well as to facilitate his banter with teammates.

Ohtani can be a bit guarded, but there is a wry sense of humor that Mizuhara helps bring out. Sometimes he's even been the butt of the joke, like the time Ohtani printed shirts for his teammates with a picture of Mizuhara at Antelope Canyon. The humor has always been there, teammates say, but between the language barrier, the club's personnel changes and his own injuries and obstacles to overcome, the hilarity has been subdued at times.

He'll imitate players, he'll mimic players, but he'll also take the heat too. Not all players have had the dubious honor of being imitated by arguably the world's greatest baseball player, but they seem to know that when it comes, it will be accurate. He's baseball's superman, but he's also Clark Kent.

There are many deservedly hyperbolic descriptions of Ohtani, but his teammates emphasized the fact that off the field he's just kind of a normal The Angels media guide says his favorite hobby is playing Clash Royale, a smartphone video game.

Teammates say he's pretty good at that, too. They also say he's genuine, humble, polite and diligent. They say he's just another guy who loves baseball. Maddon says he's extremely respectful and has a great amount of empathy for everyone around him.

Fans say he's friendly. Suzuki used the term "even-keeled" more than once, and Walsh echoed that sentiment. He's a great teammate," Walsh said. He's got a big smile and enjoys the game.