Ohtani Situation Could Provide Haunting Déjà Vu for Local Sports Fans

Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani, from Japan, celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City on June 17, 2023. Charlie Riedel/AP Photo

Mike Babcock, who coached the then-Mighty Ducks of Anaheim to within one victory of a Stanley Cup championship in 2003, is not much of a baseball fan.

Reached during a summer vacation before he returns to NHL coaching with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Mr. Babcock was not familiar with the current Shohei Ohtani scenario.