Stephen A. Smith Receives Backlash For His Comments on Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani is the first player in MLB history to be named an All-Star at pitcher and position player.

With 32 home runs, Ohtani now holds the record for most home runs in a single season by a Japanese-born player!

Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith faces criticism for comments he made about Angels’ pitcher Shohei Ohtani’s need for an interpreter while discussing the 2021 Home Run Derby.

Check out some of the backlash Stephen A. Smith is receiving for his latest comments on Shohei Ohtani.

https://twitter.com/themanzcj/status/1414606592268546048?s=21

*Turns on First Take*

Stephen A Smith: it’s a bad thing Ohtani is the face of baseball because he has an interpreter…In fact, he could be harming the game

*Turns off First Take forever*

— J Magrath (@jmacle) July 12, 2021

I need an interpreter to help me understand why people care about Stephen A. Smith.

— Anthony Castrovince (@castrovince) July 12, 2021

Why are people getting so worked up about Stephen A Smith like anything he’s ever had to say about baseball has mattered even a little bit?

— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) July 12, 2021

This xenophobic stance by Stephen A. Smith isn’t just an off the cuff “hot take.” This isn’t “barbershop talk.” This is a produced segment. This “take” is accompanied by graphics. This “take” is a segment that was previously discussed in morning meetings.
https://t.co/uNxMuBROTY

— L E F T, PhD ⚫️ (@LeftSentThis) July 12, 2021

Ichiro once explained it perfectly. Perhaps someone can show this to Stephen A. Smith… pic.twitter.com/K3DZQsaagi

— Shannon (@Miss_Met) July 12, 2021

https://twitter.com/kevinmdraper/status/1414635945073250305?s=21