The Los Angeles Dodgers remain involved in what’s been a unique and fascinating free agency process with Shohei Ohtahi, which involves Joe Kelly and his No. 17 jersey.
Although the Dodgers are awaiting a decision from Ohtani, they reportedly reached out to Kelly to see if he would allow the two-way superstar to take over No. 17 should he sign with the team. It’s believed Kelly doesn’t have any issue with the possibility, and his wife Ashley has taken to social media to campaign.
She openly offered No. 17 on the Dodgers to Ohtani and half-seriously went through a wide array of jerseys and other memorabilia that were freely offered up to him. Ashley also joked the couple’s four-month-old son had his name changed from Kai to “Shokai” as part of the “Ohtake17” campaign.
What number Ohtani would wear with the Dodgers remains somewhat of an open question despite indications on Friday he was on the verge of signing with the Toronto Blue Jays.
That speculation was followed by several reports that Ohtani had not yet decided on signing with the Blue Jays. Shortly after, he was said to be on a flight from Santa Ana that was bound for Toronto, only for that to be dispelled as well.
It then became apparent the private jet belonged to Canadian businessman Robert Herjavec, who is a regular on ABC’s hit show “Shark Tank.”
While the Dodgers and Blue Jays have potentially separated themselves in the sweepstakes, the Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs are believed to still be in the running as well.
Joe Kelly jersey number history
Kelly, who was picked by the St. Louis Cardinals in the third round of the 2009 MLB Draft, wore No. 58 with the team from 2012-2014.
Kelly’s jersey number history added No. 56 with the Boston Red Sox from 2014-2018 before switching to 17, which most fans associate him with over both stints with the Dodgers and while a member of the White Sox.
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