Los Angeles Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani is not only rich, he's strategically brilliant, because he figured out an instant way of ingratiating himself with his new teammates, and it involves a Porsche!

The Dodgers star gifted an awesome Porsche to the wife of teammate Joe Kelly. Why, you ask? Turns out she mounted a full-on campaign to get Ohtani to sign with her hubby's team.

Check out the video ... Ashley Kelly is stunned as she peers out her front door and Joe tells her the car parked on the curb next to their house ... well, the car is now hers!!!

Ashley was on a relentless campaign to snag Ohtani, telling her Insta followers she changed the name of her 7-month-old child from Kai to ShoKai. Not true, but funny -- and effective. She did a ton more, including offering up her husband's number as an incentive. An offer Ohtani took her up on!

In turn, Shohei showed his appreciation for the number swap with the brand-new whip.

Shohei can certainly afford it ... he signed a 10-year contract worth $700 million earlier this month, although he's deferring almost all of it for years. It's the biggest contract in the history of sports.

Shohei Ohtani no solo es rico, sino estratégicamente brillante, porque ha encontrado una forma instantánea de congraciarse con sus nuevos compañeros de equipo, ¡y se trata de un Porsche!

La estrella de los Dodgers le regaló un impresionante Porsche a la esposa de su compañero de equipo Joe Kelly. ¿Por qué? Resulta que ella montó una campaña para conseguir que Ohtani firmara con el equipo de su marido.

Mira el video, Ashley Kelly quedó atónita cuando se asomó a la puerta de su casa y Joe le dice que el carro estacionado en la acera junto a su casa es suyo.

Ashley estuvo involucrada en una campaña implacable para enganchar Ohtani, diciendole a sus seguidores Insta que cambió el nombre de su hijo de siete meses de Kai a ShoKai. No es cierto, pero es divertido y efectivo. Hizo mucho más, incluso ofreció el número de su marido como incentivo. Una oferta que Ohtani aceptó.

A su vez, Shohei mostró su agradecimiento por el intercambio de números con el flamante látigo.

Shohei ciertamente puede permitírselo... firmó un contrato de 10 años por valor de 700 millones de dólares a principios de este mes, aunque está aplazando casi todo durante años. Es el mayor contrato en la historia del deporte.

Mookie Betts is on the move, but he ain't leaving the Dodgers ... TMZ Sports has learned he's now got a giant new house to live in!!

Real estate sources tell us ... the MLB superstar just copped a $15 million pad this month in Encino -- just a few miles away from Dodger Stadium.

We're told the place is sweet ... featuring super sleek and modern lines.

Unclear of how many beds, baths and bells and whistles it all officially comes with -- though it sits on 2 acres ... so there's plenty of room for Mookie to work on his base-running skills if he wants.

Of course, Mookie's been living in L.A. for a while now -- he was traded to the City of Angels prior to the 2020 season -- though after having his second child earlier this year ... seems he was in need of an upgrade.

We're told Craig Knizek and Scott Gorelick of The Agency repped the seller ... while Morgan Trent of AKG | Christie's International Real Estate repped the baseball player in the sale.

Mookie Betts está en movimiento, pero no está dejando a los Dodgers ... ¡¡¡TMZ Sports ha indagado que tiene una nueva casa gigante para vivir!!

Fuentes de bienes raíces nos dicen que la superestrella de la MLB acaba de comprar un palacio de $15 millones este mes en Encino, a pocos kilómetros de distancia del Estadio de los Dodgers.

Nos dicen que el lugar es dulce, con líneas super elegantes y modernas.

No está claro cuántas camas, baños, campanas y silbatos tiene, pero cuenta con 2 acres, así que hay un montón de espacio para que Mookie trabaje en sus habilidades de base-running si quiere.

Por supuesto, Mookie ha estado viviendo en Los Ángeles desde hace un tiempo. Fue traspasado a la Ciudad de los Ángeles antes de la temporada 2020, aunque después de tener a su segundo hijo a principios de este año parece que necesitaba una actualización.

Nos dicen que Craig Knizek de The Agency representó al vendedor, mientras que Morgan Trent de AKG | Christie's International Real Estate representó al jugador de béisbol en la venta.

Shohei Ohtani has only been a Dodger for about a week, but he's already getting the superstar treatment in L.A. ... with brand-new murals popping up all over the city!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... famous street artist Jonas Never -- who has done work featuring LeBron James and Anthony Bourdain in the past -- decided to welcome Ohtani to the Dodgers by whipping together a new piece near downtown L.A.

JN used the Prociety shop as his canvas ... and we're told the whole thing took a day and a half to complete.

Of course, Ohtani is no stranger to the area -- after all, he spent the first six years of his MLB career with the Angels.

Jonas also had help from fellow artist Droyce on the project ... and we gotta say, it came out great!!

Former MLB GM Dan Duquette -- who was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2022 -- tells TMZ Sports if he were in the Dodgers' front office ... he would've had some reservations about signing Shohei Ohtani to a $700 million contract.

The ex-Boston exec explained that while he believes the two-way star is truly one of the most unique talents the MLB's ever seen ... the elbow surgery he recently underwent would make Duquette nervous.

"I was a little uncomfortable with the values given the injury," Duquette said.

Ohtani, of course, had the procedure back in September ... the second major one his throwing arm's undergone since 2018.

Both the player and the Dodgers don't seem too concerned about it -- they each expect him to take the mound again in 2025 ... but Duquette told us it's a risky situation he might not have wanted to be a part of if he were making decisions in LA.

"This guy is a huge player," Duquette said, referencing Ohtani's 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame. "He hit a couple of home runs, he pitched a really good game, and then he got hurt."

"I don't know that the performance at the top-end of the scale for these great big guys is sustainable. Because there's so much power and force going into a pitch, going into a swing."

However, one thing Duquette was fine with was the structure of the deal -- which will reportedly pay Ohtani $20 million for the next 10 years ... before it gives him $680 mil from 2034-2043.

Duquette told us the deferrals will benefit everyone -- from the team, to the player, to the league as a whole.

After a ton of speculation, Shohei Ohtani is finally spilling the beans on what he named his dog ... and as it turns out, it has nothing to do with his new team, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

His name is Decoy!!

The 29-year-old Japanese superstar met with the media as a Dodger for the very first time just minutes ago ... where he talked all about topics like his decision to take his talents to L.A., winning aspirations and recent surgery.

But the one question everyone wanted the answer to -- what the heck is your dog's name, dude?!?!

Of course, the phenomenon started after Ohtani accepted his 2023 MVP award ... when reporters claimed Shotime's team refused to disclose any information about the four-legged friend who made an appearance with him in a video interview.

The secrecy led to a bunch of rumors -- and some even claimed it was because Ohtani chose a namesake related to his next destination.

But the two-way athlete put an end to all that talk on Thusday ... saying he decided on Decoy -- or the Japanese version, Dekopin.

As for when he knew he would be a Dodger, Shohei said he came to the decision the night before he announced his next move on Instagram.

Buster Posey says San Francisco's current issues with crime and drugs might very well be the reason Shohei Ohtani is currently wearing Dodger blue instead of Giants orange.

The S.F. legend -- who was part of the Giants' consortium that made its pitch to Ohtani recently to get him to sign with the Bay Area squad -- got candid with The Athletic after S.F. lost its pursuit of the two-way superstar to LA ... making it clear he thinks his former team's city truly impacted Shohei's free agency decision.

"Something I think is noteworthy," the three-time World Series champ said, "something that unfortunately keeps popping up from players and even the players' wives is there's a bit of an uneasiness with the city itself, as far as the state of the city, with crime, with drugs."

"Whether that's all completely fair or not," Posey continued, "perception is reality."

Posey added that while Ohtani himself never explicitly brought any of it up -- he said there was definitely some in the designated hitter's camp who did have "some reservation with the state of the city right now."

Ohtani is one of many big-name free agents who have passed up the chance to play in San Francisco recently -- last year, the Giants famously missed out on Aaron Judge, and in the past, they've swung and missed on guys like Bryce Harper and Seiya Suzuki too.

In his interview with The Athletic, Posey made it known the perception of S.F.'s current lifestyle might have had a big role in all of it.

"It's a frustrating cycle, I think, and not just with baseball," Posey said. "Baseball is secondary to life and the important things in life. But as far as a free-agent pursuit goes, I have seen that it does affect things."

Ohtani ultimately ended up inking a 10-year, $700 million contract with a LA -- a deal that Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said this week was nearly identical to the one S.F. had offered.

Posey said he eventually hopes the tide will end up turning ... adding, "It's been well documented that we've come up short for a number of years now."

Well, that didn't take long ...

Just 3.5 days after Shohei Ohtani agreed to join the Los Angeles Dodgers, his jersey is now officially available for purchase!!

The MLB announced the threads hit the shelves at its flagship store and its website on Wednesday -- but if ya want one of the Dodger blue and white unis, it'll cost you.

According to the league's site, a replica home Ohtani jersey will run $134.99 -- while a more authentic "limited" Ohtani jersey will cost $174.99.

If jerseys -- or their price tags -- aren't necessarily your thing, the league also put some Ohtani "sherseys" on sale ... for a far more affordable $39.99.

Of course, the No. 17 jerseys all became possible when pitcher Joe Kelly revealed he'd give up his old digits to the two-way superstar in favor of No. 99.

In fact, Kelly was already seen sporting his new digits while at a charity event Wednesday, looking just fine in the Nine-Nine.

Former World Series champ Jerry Hairston says the Dodgers didn't overpay when they dropped $700 million to get Shohei Ohtani ... telling TMZ Sports, "He's worth it."

L.A. inked the two-way star to the deal over the weekend ... and with his pitching career in question due to a second Tommy John surgery on his throwing arm, many wondered if the Dodgers spent just a bit too much.

But, Hairston made it clear to us on Monday ... he believes they didn't.

As for why ... the ex-outfielder who played two seasons for the Dodgers in 2012 and 2013 said there are a multitude of reasons. No. 1, he said he's fully confident Ohtani will be able to pitch again in 2025. No. 2, he told us he believes the 29-year-old is "just entering his prime, especially with the bat."

And, perhaps more importantly for the Dodgers' bottom line, Ohtani brings in revenue like no other player in the sport.

"He brings in anywhere from $70 to $85 million in revenue alone!" Hairston said.

Hairston actually went on to praise Ohtani and the Dodgers for the contract -- noting that the deal's deferred payments will allow L.A. to surround the two-time MVP with even more talent in the next few seasons.

"He is worth the price of admission," Hairston said.

Shohei Ohtani just announced he will be a Los Angeles Dodger ... reportedly landing a massive 10-year, $700 million contract -- the richest deal in Major League Baseball and North American sports history.

The Japanese two-way superstar personally shared the news on his Instagram page just minutes ago ... apologizing for keeping the baseball world on pins and needles as he came up with his decision to leave the Los Angeles Angels.

"First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved with the Angels organization and the fans who have supported me over the past six years, as well as to everyone involved with each team that was part of this negotiation process," Ohtani said in his post. "Especially to the Angels fans who supported me through all the ups and downs, your guys’ support and cheer meant the world to me. The six years I spent with the Angels will remain etched in my heart forever."

Ohtani also pledged to give his absolute best on the field for the Dodgers fanbase ... adding, "Until the last day of my playing career, I want to continue to strive forward not only for the Dodgers but for the baseball world."

The Dodgers are getting the most entertaining player in the sport -- as Shohei is a dominant force on both sides of the ball.

He played the first six seasons of his MLB career with the crosstown rival Angels ... racking up 681 hits, 171 homers and 437 RBI ... as well as a 38-19 record with a 3.01 ERA and 608 strikeouts on the mound.

Other organizations reportedly had a chance at landing the two-time MVP -- including the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays -- but the free agency process was super secretive, per Ohtani's request.

You may not ever be able to throw like Sandy Koufax, but you can now catch like him -- 'cause one of his game-used gloves has just gone up for sale!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... a mitt the former Dodgers star wore during his second MLB season way back in 1956 hit the Grey Flannel auction block on Monday -- and bidding has already reached over $48,000.

A lofty price tag, for sure ... but the glove is certainly worth it -- as the ultra-rare, 67-year-old piece helped Koufax and the Dodgers win the '56 N.L. pennant.

The Rawlings mitt has some cool markings that show it belonged to the legendary pitcher ... including his No. 32 near the wrist strap -- as well as his nickname, "Koo Foo," written in faded black marker on the glove's pinky.

"This is a rare find indeed, one that stretches back to Sandy's earliest days in Major League Baseball," Grey Flannel exec Michael Russek said. "His career speaks for itself and we're confident this glove will generate plenty of action."

Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe is hoping to share a dugout with Shohei Ohtani next season ... telling TMZ Sports he believes New York should go after the former MVP in free agency.

"Yeah!" he said emphatically while out at the MLB Flagship Store in NYC on Thursday. "Of course!"

Ohtani is eligible to leave the Angels this year ... after he spent the last six seasons with the team turning himself into one of the biggest superstars the sport's ever seen.

In his time in LA, he racked up three All-Star appearances, a .274 batting average, a 3.01 ERA and 171 home runs.

And, despite undergoing a second surgery on his throwing elbow in September, Volpe made it clear to us he really wants to see the 29-year-old in pinstripes.

"I mean, I think he's the best of the best," Volpe said.

Ohtani is expected to stay off the mound in 2024 while rehabbing, but he is slated to be healthy enough to hit at the dish -- and many in the MLB believe he's now poised to land the biggest contract in the history of the sport.

Magic Johnson acaba de unirse al club de las 10 cifras y entró en la prestigiosa lista como uno de los pocos atletas en lograrlo, así informa Forbes.

La célebre revista, que se enorgullece de estar al tanto de la fortuna de las estrellas, dice que su nuevo recuento sobre el grande de los Lakers lo ha convertido oficialmente en multimillonario. Según ellos, el patrimonio neto estimado de Earvin ronda los 1.200 millones de dólares.

Dicen que su riqueza masiva después del baloncesto es el resultado de una mezcolanza de inversiones que ha hecho a lo largo de los años y si usted sabe algo acerca de Magic, sabrá que es un gran hombre de negocios.

El tipo es propietario parcial de varios equipos deportivos profesionales, como los Dodgers, los Sparks, el LAFC de la MLS y, más recientemente, los Washington Commanders de la NFL. Sin embargo, estas inversiones no son las que lo hacen parte de la lista.

Al parecer, es la participación del 60% de Magic en una compañía de seguros de vida llamada EquiTrust, de la que se apoderó en 2015. La compañía ha estado en auge en lo que respecta a los beneficios desde entonces y ha vuelto a Magic aún más rico como resultado.

Hay más inversiones que Magic ha hecho que lo llevaron al borde del precipicio, tales como cadenas de cines, así como una asociación de Starbucks en la que entró hace un tiempo. También tiene una participación minoritaria adicional en una planta embotelladora de PepsiCo fuera de DC.

Por supuesto, también es un magnate de los medios de comunicación, por no mencioar que es una cara increíblemente reconocible en casi todas partes.

Como ya hemos dicho, el hecho de que Magic haya alcanzado esta cifra le sitúa en un grupo exclusivo de otros tres deportistas en la estratosfera de los multimillonarios: LeBron James, Tiger Woods y Michael Jordan. Ahora Magic está allí también y para ser honesto, fue un largo tiempo de espera.

Magic Johnson just joined the 10-figure club -- and he's in the prestigious company as only one of a few athletes to reach the achievement ... so says Forbes, anyway.

The famed magazine -- which prides itself on keeping tabs on stars' fortunes -- says their new tally on the Laker great has now made him an official billionaire ... and he's got change to spare with the title. According to them, Earvin's estimated net worth is around $1.2 bil.

They say his massive wealth post-basketball comes as a result of a hodgepodge of investments he's made over the years -- and if you know anything about Magic, that tracks.

The dude's a partial owner in a number of pro sports teams -- including the Dodgers, the Sparks, MLS' LAFC and more recently ... the NFL's Washington Commanders. Interestingly enough, though, these minority owner stakes aren't what make him rich-rich here.

Apparently, it's Magic's 60% stake in a life insurance company called EquiTrust ... which he snapped up in 2015. The company's been booming in profits since then -- and he's rolling in the dough as a result.

There are more investments Magic's made that tipped him over the edge ... including movie theater chains he's bought into, as well as a Starbucks partnership he entered into a while back. He's also got an extra minority stake in a PepsiCo bottling plant outside of D.C.

Of course, he's also a media mogul ... not to mention an incredibly recognizable face just about everywhere he goes -- which probably helps when he gets booked for appearances.

Like we said, Magic hitting this benchmark puts him in an exclusive group among 3 other athletes in the billionaire stratosphere ... that'd be LeBron James, Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan. Now Magic's there too -- and to be honest, it was probably a long time coming.

Brace yourselves, Dodgers fans ... there's a chance Clayton Kershaw's career is done -- or, perhaps worse, he ends up pitching for Texas next season.

L.A.'s play-by-play man Joe Davis tells TMZ Sports the two options are very much on the table for the future Hall of Famer ... saying he knows Kershaw won't do anything in 2024 other than stay with the Dodgers, throw for the Rangers -- or hang up his spikes.

The voice of the Dodgers says he fully expects Kershaw to have lengthy conversations with his family in the upcoming weeks and months to ultimately make the best choice of the trio.

"It's a pretty simple decision," the 35-year-old said. "But it's certainly one that a lot of the Dodgers' offseason plans will hinge on the outcome of."

If it is ultimately the end ... Davis said there's simply no debate that Kershaw will go down as "one of the best left-handed pitchers of all-time."

And, it's definitely not hyperbole ... through 16 seasons so far, Kershaw has a 210-92 record, a 2.48 ERA and 2,944 strikeouts.