Shohei Ohtani’s Dodgers Jersey Tops MLB Sales in First Half
Shohei Ohtani’s move from Anaheim to Los Angeles during the offseason has significantly boosted his jersey sales. MLB recently unveiled the top-selling jerseys globally for the first half of the season, with Ohtani once again leading the pack.
Ohtani, now sporting Dodger Blue, has reclaimed the top spot as the league’s most popular jersey. Previously with the Angels, Ohtani’s jersey was the best-selling last season, marking him as the first Japanese player to achieve this feat. He continues to hold the distinction as the sole Japanese player atop the list.
Trailing Ohtani are Bryce Harper of the Phillies and Aaron Judge of the Yankees, although specific sales figures for their jerseys have not been disclosed. Ohtani is accompanied in the top 10 by teammate Mookie Betts and former Dodger Corey Seager. According to MLBshop.com, Freddie Freeman ranks 20th, making the Dodgers the only team with three players in the top 20.
Last December, Ohtani set a Fanatics record for the highest sales within 48 hours of a player switching teams. He surpassed Lionel Messi’s previous record by more than double following the soccer star’s transfer to Inter Miami FC. Since joining MLB, Ohtani has garnered immense support from his home country. The Fanatics shop in Japan reported that within 48 hours of Ohtani’s move, he outsold all MLB teams combined in Japan over the past two years.
The demand for Ohtani’s jersey comes as no surprise, given his exceptional performance on the field. Earlier this season, he broke the record for the most career home runs by a Japanese-born player. His impressive stats, including 28 home runs, a .627 slugging percentage, and a 1.025 OPS, rank him second in MLB behind Aaron Judge.
Now playing in the National League, Ohtani is poised for his third MVP award. He recently clinched his fourth consecutive ESPY for Best MLB Player, a testament to his exceptional skills and popularity among fans.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports