Tim Kurkjian helps Shohei Ohtani see the significance of Shohei Ohtani’s historic season. The Angels star is voted the starting DH by the American League All-Stars. (1:12).ANAHEIM (Calif.) -- Shohei Ohtani has a new month.Hours after being named American League Player for the Month June, the Angels slugger increased his major-league-leading home runs total to 30, with two dingers against Baltimore Orioles Friday night at Angel Stadium.After a walk Ohtani stole his 12th base for the season in the ninth. He was then in position to score the game-winning run on a Jared Walsh single.Ohtani was the third player to hit 30 home runs or more before the All Star break in the 10 past seasons. He joins Chris Davis (37) and Christian Yelich (31).The milestones did not stop there.Hideki Matsui (31) was also born in Japan and is the only player to have a 30-homer year. Matsui's seven multihomer games, which Ohtani has had in his six seasons (three this season), are the second-most by a Japanese-born player. Ichiro Suzuki's seven are his closest competitors. Ohtani has now scored 13 runs in his 15 previous games against the O's. This is the most ever recorded in Angels history.Ohtani might be able to show off his other skills in the All-Star Game.Joe Maddon, Angels manager, wants Ohtani both to pitch and to hit in the July 13 Midsummer Classic at Denver. He has also discussed the matter with Kevin Cash (Tampa Bay Rays skipper), who will be managing the AL squad.Maddon stated that Ohtani would be able to do both and also participate in the Home Run Derby at Coors Field on July 12. This would attract even non-baseball fans. He is urging Ohtani to be seen as often as possible.Maddon stated that Shohei should participate at the maximum level within my limits before Friday's 7-8 win over Baltimore. What more could you want? It must be done in a way that isn't going to cause any harm.You have to let go of the DH rule to allow him to both hit and pitch. They're ready to do these kinds of things, I believe."Ohtani, the AL's designated hitter starting pitcher, was elected by his fans to his first All-Star Game. Through his interpreter, he remained quiet about what the future plans were for him."I believe that players are just pieces of the puzzle. It's up to the manager to decide how to use me. Ohtani stated that this is all she could say at the moment. It is an important milestone. It is my goal for the team to win first. I feel that as long as I am performing and helping my team win, it should be natural for me to be an All-Star.Oh(tani), My! Shohei Ohtani is sixth with 30 home runs, 10 steals and 32 RBIs in a season before the All-Star Game.On Friday, Ohtani was named the AL's player-of-the-month for June. This marks the first time that he has received this honor. He hit.309 and had 13 home runs, 23 RBIs, and went 2-0 with 33 strikeouts during five pitches. He homered in 11 of his 14 previous games to finish the month.He set a record for the Angels for the most home runs in the season before the All Star break. His two long balls Friday also set a Babe Ruth record for the most home runs in a season that had 10 or more games. In 1919, Ruth was the Boston Red Sox's catcher and had 29 homers.Mike Trout, a teammate, said that it was an easy swing but violent. He was also voted an All-Star Game starter, despite having been injured. "You've seen him over the past few weeks. He's always unconscious at the plate. He hits anything that is not over the fence.Trout stated that he spoke to Ohtani last Wednesday and encouraged him to have a great All-Star experience."The atmosphere, the camaraderie and the fun of being with the guys makes it one of the most enjoyable things you can do. It goes by fast, especially for him, with the derby, and all the directions that he will be pulled in. He's going to put on a show. That's why he is Show-tani.Maddon spoke to Cash last weekend while Los Angeles was in Tampa Bay for a 3-game series. Maddon indicated that discussions will continue with Cash, with Perry Minasian, Angels general manager, also playing a role. The All-Star manager and the teams have a lot of contact, particularly when it comes to the pitching staff or who is throwing the weekend before.Ohtani also proved his case to Cash by hitting a 453-foot homerun off the D-ring in Tropicana Field's right field in the opening game of the series, which took place on June 25. This was the 39th time that a ball has reached this spot since 1998, when the park opened.Ohtani will be attending to other pressing matters before the All-Star Game. He is trying to recover from his last pitching start, which was a difficult one. He was charged with seven runs, the most in his career, in just two-thirds an inning against the New York Yankees. This was his worst start of the season.Ohtani stated that there is no decision yet on when Ohtani will make his next start. If Ohtani keeps his schedule, it could be Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox or Wednesday.This report was contributed by The Associated Press.
