The U.S. Dodger Blue and Japan’s local multiple media reported on the 24th (Korean time) that Joe Kelly’s wife, who was forced to eat with him at Shohei Ohtani, presented him with a Porsche.
Ohtani’s reason for presenting a Porsche to Kelly’s wife Ashley Kelly dates back to the 3rd. Kelly, who played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox and has been a Dodgers uniform since 2019 and helped him win the 2020 World Series, signed a one-year contract, allowing him to play in that uniform again in the 2024 season.
After the end of the 2020 season, Kelly moved to the Chicago White Sox as a free agent, before returning to the Dodgers ahead of the trade deadline this year. He pitched in 11 games for the Dodgers, where he had one win, no loss, two holds, and an ERA of 1.74, and will be able to continue his relationship through the renewal of his contract. The news of Kelly’s remaining in the team was not a pleasant surprise to Dodgers fans. 파워볼실시간
During his Major League career, he used 17 numbers. In particular, the Dodgers insisted on 17 numbers, the same number Ohtani used when he changed his uniform from the Nippon-Ham Fighters to the Los Angeles Angels. Notably, when Kelly agreed to a one-year contract, it was the height of Ohtani’s recruitment campaign.
Dodgers fans expressed concern that they would not be able to use the 17th number when Ohtani arrived due to his presence. “Not all Dodgers fans expected to renew their contract with Kelly,” said Tim Kaplso of Sports Illustrated at the time. The news of Kelly’s recruitment sent some fans into a state of panic. There is a possibility that Ohtani will be recruited as a free agent.”
When Kelly promised to accompany the Dodgers, his destination had not been determined. A week later, however, the Dodgers finally won the bid. The Dodgers had a fierce competition with the Toronto Blue Jays and the San Francisco Giants, and after offering the largest 10-year contract ever worth 700 million U.S. dollars, it successfully won the hearts of the “Dodgers.”
After Ohtani’s move to the Dodgers was confirmed, attention began to focus on who would use the No. 17 number. Then, Kelly’s wife Ashley Kelly displayed a performance on her social media in which she threw away her uniform with the No. 17 number along with Kelly’s name. Kelly, who is wearing a white short-sleeved T-shirt, happily expressed her intention to give up her number to Ohtani by engraving “No. 99” with a blue magic on her back. Then, Kelly willingly gave up No. 17 to Ohtani.
Then came the meeting between Ohtani and Kelly. At the time, Kelly said, “I have never given up No. 17 to anyone. I have always been a favorite number since I was a student. However, I handed over my number to the man (Otani) who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and said goodbye to him. Ohtani said, “Thank you,” and expressed high expectations, “Ohtani is excited to play with me as a player of great character.”
Kelly’s interview with reporters did not avoid a question about his number. The Major League Baseball has a custom of giving a gift to a player who gave up his number. When Choo joined the SSG Landers, Lee Tae-yang gave up his number 17, and Choo gave up an expensive watch as a gift. Similarly, Kelly seemed to have high expectations for a gift, saying, “I have a list.” When asked about the specific question, he declined to say, “No comment,” but a Porsche arrived in front of Kelly’s house on the 24th. In the video that was released, Kelly said, “(Otani) Shohei wants to give you a Porsche,” and Ashley Kelly seemed surprised. Most Porsche cars cost more than 100 million won (approx.
Kelly’s behind-the-scenes look at the podcast “Baseball Isn’t Boring” on Saturday was revealed. “I have served in the Major League for 11 years. I played in the Major League almost twice as much as Otani did,” Kelly said. “I told Otani that if he bought me a good car, I would give him my number.” What Kelly was saying was actually a joke, but the sensible Otani actually got a Porsche as a present. “Kelly didn’t really ask for a ‘quid pro quo’,” Japan’s Full Count said. “However, Otani’s judgment made the joke come true.”