Getty Image / Brain Rothmuller
The Los Angeles Dodgers have an illustrious history featuring seven World Series titles and forty-nine Hall of Fame selections to play for the team. But, MLB analyst Ben Verlander completely forgot about that history when he named Shohei Ohtani the most important free agent signing in the history of the franchise on Tuesday.
Take a look at the comments.
"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
First off, the Ohtani signing is one of the most important signings in the history of Major League Baseball. The Dodgers won an unprecedented bidding war for the two-way phenom to the tune of a 10-year $700 million dollar deal.
With Ohtani only 29-years old, it seems likely that he could have plenty of great seasons ahead of him. It’s not a stretch to say that he could be the sport’s greatest player of all-time when his career is over, and the biggest global icon in baseball history. By any measure, that’s a very important signing.
But, Ben Verlander forgot the most impactful signing in the history of baseball. That would be Jackie Robinson, who broke the Major League Baseball color barrier in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
The impact of Jackie Robinson not just on baseball but on society in general is immeasurable. His jersey number, 42, is retired by all 30 Major League teams, and Jackie Robinson Day is celebrated each year league-wide to commemorate Robinson being the first African-American to play in the majors.
Robinson was a pretty darn good player in his own right, too. The three-sport star at UCLA batted a remarkable .313 for his major league career, won the NL MVP in 1949, and made six straight All Star teams from 1949-1954. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962 on the first ballot, becoming the first African-American to be inducted into Cooperstown.
Make no mistake, Ohtani is one of the most important signings in the history of the game. But, Ben Verlander would be wise to remember Jackie Robinson.