It pays to look like Shohei Ohtani. Unfortunately, not quite the $700 million that the Japanese superstar is getting from the Dodgers, but it earned one Orange County, California, man $17 along with a gift from a museum gift shop.
It was part of the prize awarded to the winner of a Shohei Ohtani lookalike contest being held by the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.
Shohei Ohtani lookalike contest winner Joseph Ma poses as Japanese American National Museum hosts a Shohei Ohtani lookalike contest at Japanese American National Museum on November 23, 2024.Getty Images
Shohei Ohtani lookalike contest winner Joseph Ma poses as Japanese American National Museum hosts a Shohei Ohtani lookalike contest at Japanese American National Museum on November 23, 2024.Getty Images
Joseph Ma was named the winner in Sunday’s contest after being selected by an audience vote to capture the prize — the $17 was selected specifically because it is the same number Ohtani wears on his jersey.
Contest participants are seen as the Japanese American National Museum hosts a Shohei Ohtani lookalike contest at Japanese American National Museum on November 23, 2024.Getty Images
Ma told ABC 7 in Los Angeles that he had been told that he looked like Ohtani before and that a number of friends had encouraged him to take part in the contest.
When asked what he thought helped him win the contest and made him look like Ohtani he replied, “I would say like my eyes, maybe my cheeks, I think, are pretty similar to Ohtani’s.”
Ohtani helped lead the Dodgers to a World Series title this past season, defeating the Yankees in five games in the Fall Classic
He took home his third MVP this past week after putting up the best offensive season of his career.
Ohtani led the National League in runs scored (134), homers (54), RBIs (130), on-base percentage (.390), slugging percentage (.646) and OPS (1.036). He previously won two MVPs in the AL while playing with the Angels.
Shohei Ohtani smiles during the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball World Series championship parade Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles.AP
A contest participant poses as the Japanese American National Museum hosts a Shohei Ohtani lookalike contest at Japanese American National Museum on November 23, 2024.Getty Images
A contest participant speaks to the media as the Japanese American National Museum hosts a Shohei Ohtani lookalike contest at Japanese American National Museum on November 23, 2024.Getty Images
While talking to KCAL News, Ma described the honor it was to look like one of the best players in the majors.
“Being compared to greatness is always such a great feeling,” he said. “Especially someone who’s not only being a great baseball player but he’s doing a lot for the Asian community.”
