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Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to register 50 home runs and 50 steals in a season. The two-time MVP has received widespread praise for his remarkable achievement, and Japanese Airlines has announced a unique way to acknowledge him.
According to reports JAL is launching a special aircraft to honor the Japanese slugger. The "DREAM SHO JET" aircraft will feature Shohei Ohtani's painting and will start operation from Sept. 29.
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Apart from the exteriors of the special aircraft, reportedly designed by Ohtani himself, the flight will feature exclusive paper cups and in-flight leaflets.
The venture is supposed to inspire Japanese youth to realise their dreams like Ohtani has been doing since leaving the NPB for major leagues. The special aircraft is reportedly scheduled to operate until March 2026.
For the uninitiated, Shohei Ohtani has a sponsorship deal with JAL. However, Ohtani's team, the Dodgers, signed a multiyear deal with JAL's competitors, All Nippon Airways in April.
Shohei Ohtani's Topps card garners record bid at auction
Shohei Ohtani's exclusive Topps card featuring the Dodgers superstar's signature received a whopping winning bid if $280,000, which was raised to $336,000 after including buyer's premium. It's the highest sum ever fetched by a Ohtani card.
The card features Ohtani's image from his rookie season with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018 and is the only such card in existence.
Ohtani celebrated his off field success by helping the Dodgers to the NL West title with a win over division rivals the San Diego Padres on Thursday. The Dodgers went into the game with a three-game lead over the Padres.
However, Ohtani's team trailed 2-0 untill the seventh inning. A five-run surge in the seventh followed by two runs in the eighth saw the Dodgers complete a come-from-behind win to secure the NL West title for the 11th time in 12 seasons.
While the Dodgers have been a feature of October baseball over the last decade, this will be Ohtani's first time playing in the postseason since his debut in 2018. His fanfare is only going to rise when the dust settles on his historic season, with a potential World Series title to boot.
