Ohtani stuns Dodgers — and others — with marriage announcement
Clark hopeful league is taking uniform complaints seriously
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Shohei Ohtani stunned the Los Angeles Dodgers — and many around the world — with his marriage announcement on Thursday, so manager Dave Roberts said any gift the team gives the two-time MVP would be like most of the money in his contract: deferred.
“I’m very happy for him and his bride,” Roberts said, smiling. “As far as wedding gifts, we got surprised and didn’t have much time to think about it. I’m sure it’s en route.”
Ohtani, the two-way Japanese star, revealed on Instagram early Thursday that he was married. Much of the relationship remains shroudded in mystery.
“She is a Japanese woman,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “I don’t really feel comfortable talking about when I got married exactly, but she’s a normal Japanese woman.”
Ohtani only gave a few more tidbits about the relationship during a short interview on Thursday, saying he had known his new bride for three or four years.
The 29-year-old Ohtani is Japan’s biggest celebrity. There has been curiosity about his personal life, which he has always kept private. His focus and his image has always been baseball focused and free of scandals and tabloid news.
“I felt like it was good timing because it was before the season,” Ohtani said. “I didn’t really want any distractions once the season started. I would have liked to announce it earlier, but there were some paperwork issues that (delayed) the whole process.”
Ohtani moved from the Los Angeles Angels to the Dodgers in December on a record $700 million, 10-year contract. Ohtani said his marriage didn’t affect how he treated free agency.
“She has a great understanding of my profession, and she’s willing to be wherever I wanted to play and ultimately it was my decision,” Ohtani said.
The post on Instagram included a photo of his dog “Dekopin,” whom Ohtani also calls “Decoy.”
PLAYER UNIFORMS: Baseball players’ association head Tony Clark is hopeful 2024 uniforms will soon be altered following complaints by his members.
The uniforms designed by Nike and manufactured by Fanatics have been criticized by players for pants that are somewhat see through and for lettering, sleeve emblems and numbering that are less bulky and apparently smaller.
“You just don’t expect to have conversations about uniforms,” Clark said Thursday. “And so having them, I’m hopeful, and this goes back to what we suggested before, in picking up the phone and talking to all the folks involved, having some appreciation for folks paying attention to it now perhaps more so than they were before spring started yet.”
Player comments have slowed recently.
“It’s calm because the commentary that’s being offered suggests that the powers that be are paying attention to the concerns that are there and are engaging how best to address them moving forward.” Clark said
“Not every truth is the better for showing its face undisguised.” — Pindar .....................
Ron Rubin declared this hand well in an online pairs game. At the helm in three no-trump on a spade lead, Rubin saw that if the diamond finesse lost, the clubs could be wide open. Rubin therefore tried to make a spade return more attractive by dropping the queen under dummy’s king at trick one, hoping to look like a man with ace-queen doubleton. Then came the diamond jack, unblocking the 10 when East played small.
No doubt Rubin regretted his trickone enterprise when the finesse won, but he did not give up. The run of the diamonds put West through the wringer. Declarer could let go of a heart and a club easily enough, while West could shed two spades, a heart, and a club.
However, the final diamond forced a fatal discard. A heart would give up two tricks right away and result in further pressure for all 13 tricks, while a club discard would see declarer establish the club jack and later squeeze West again for 12 tricks.
Naturally, West unguarded spades, whereupon Rubin cashed two rounds of that suit. At this point, West should have let go of the club queen to ensure one trick for his side, but he actually pitched another heart, and declarer could run four heart tricks.
Thus, Rubin emerged with 13 tricks and an 87% board. He would have scored above average with 12 tricks on the triple squeeze as well. Surprisingly, the majority collected only 11 tricks, even though those players did not sacrifice their third spade trick!
ANSWER:
You do not need opening values to come in over one no-trump in the balancing seat. Shape should suffice, so bid two clubs for the majors. Passing could easily cost you a part-score swing. In direct seat, the equation is far more complex, but I believe the odds favor acting here. Incidentally, as a passed hand, balancing would be even clearer.
If you would like to contact Bobby Wolff, e-mail him at bobbywolff@mindspring.com. Copyright 2024, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS