Ohtani donates $500K to LA fire relief efforts
Shohei Ohtani has called Southern California home ever since he made the jump from Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball to MLB seven years ago. The two-way superstar and reigning National League MVP began his big league journey with the Angels in Anaheim, and he just completed his first season with the Dodgers in Los Angeles, helping them win the World Series.
As firefighters continue to battle the devastating wildfires that have ravaged that region, Ohtani is donating $500,000 to help their efforts and those who have been impacted by the disaster.
"We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the firefighters who continue to fight for us during the fires in L.A.," Ohtani wrote in Japanese in an Instagram post on Thursday. "We will donate $500,000 to help these firefighters, those who are forced to evacuate, and animals in need."
Ohtani then mentioned the Dodgers' partnership with other professional sports organizations in the Los Angeles area to raise funds for the firefighters and relief efforts through an "LA Strong" collection of merchandise. The photo on Ohtani's post is of a Dodgers shirt from this collection.
"The Los Angeles Dodgers are also collaborating with other sports teams to sell T-shirts and other [merchandise]," Ohtani wrote. "We hope you will consider it."
Ohtani concluded the post with a heartfelt message to the tens of thousands of people who have been affected by the wildfires:
"I sincerely hope for a speedy recovery."