Detroit Tigers infielder Kody Clemens knows a thing or two about pitching greatness. After all, his father is Roger Clemens. But where the elder Clemens dominated opponents with his velocity, Kody is known for his off-off-OFF-speed pitches during occasional mop-up innings.
But you have to give Kody credit. He’ll forever have bragging rights over his dad — only one of them struck out Shohei Ohtani.
During Monday’s lopsided loss to the Angels, Clemens struck Ohtani out looking on a 68 mph “eephus” pitch, and Clemens was pumped. He made sure to save the baseball like he had just recorded his first big-league hit. It was an obvious show of respect for Ohtani, who is putting together another historic season as a two-way star.
Yet, the moment got even better because Ohtani was just a tremendous sport about the strikeout.
Shohei Ohtani signed the ball for Kody Clemens that he struck him out on 😂
(Via @kodyclem Instagram) pic.twitter.com/9KjetGEF9U
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) September 6, 2022
Clemens shared on Instagram on Tuesday that Ohtani signed the strikeout ball and left the message, “What a nasty pitch!”
I mean, that’s just so awesome. And the pitch really wasn’t bad.
Save that ball! 😂
Kody Clemens was hyped to strike out Shohei for his first K. pic.twitter.com/UD4zJ29TWk
— MLB (@MLB) September 6, 2022
It’s obviously easier to have fun with the moment after a two-homer game, but that sense of humor is another reason Ohtani is a must-see talent. He knew how much that strikeout meant to Kody, so he went along with the autograph request. That kind of gesture makes him so easy to root for.
Fans loved that gift from Ohtani too.
This was how Twitter reacted
Kody has already struck out Shohei Ohtani more times, in only 6 innings pitched, than his father did throughout his entire career. https://t.co/Wt0ZpAP0c0
— Zachary Person (@Zac_Person) September 6, 2022
This is awesome https://t.co/7v4eesr3WT
— Jonathan Katje (@JKatje) September 6, 2022
Very cool. https://t.co/5jWTzGJVml
— Dennis Poust (@DennisPoust) September 6, 2022
what a nasty pitch！ https://t.co/xBp1bAyYnr
— さわき (@br_tme) September 6, 2022
Another reason why baseball is the best! https://t.co/e4F826797I
— Trent Rush (@TrentRushSports) September 6, 2022
Shohei you are an absolute gem of a human being 😭♥️🫶 https://t.co/YJCzqZvkBy
— devilette (@deviIette) September 6, 2022
I love Shohei for doing this and Kody for even asking https://t.co/Cd2bS5yS1L
— sam (@sambanban) September 6, 2022
Extraordinary player, even better guy. https://t.co/VgndDc8Ypp
— 💫 (@liv_piercings) September 6, 2022
I absolutely love this so much ❤️❤️ https://t.co/PXdT4DzVUB
— Mandy Mandi (@UnicornShohei) September 6, 2022
Ohtani struck out against Kody Clemens and Ohtani sent him a autograph ball congratulating him. Lol https://t.co/JpDKzyUdtn
— Jacob Cathey (@jacob_cathey) September 6, 2022
What a guy. https://t.co/MRE9vcXN4X
— Jed (@TigersJUK) September 6, 2022
Ohtani seems like a fun loving and classy guy…this is good stuff for Clemens’ big K. https://t.co/WvSr9DWDJw
— Yooper_IA (@Yooper_IA) September 6, 2022
Kody is going to want to keep that baseball for a LONG time.
