"She’s the real reason he’s a Dodger" "Tops any gift Joe ever got her" - MLB fans stunned as Shohei Ohtani gifts brand new Porsche to Joe Kelly's wife

If there's anyone LA Dodgers fans can thank for the signing of Shohei Ohtani, it has to be pitcher Joe Kelly's wife Ashley. Fans recognized the efforts she put in while Ohtani's sweepstakes were on and it has now caught the attention of the Japanese sensation himself.

Shohei Ohtani signed a 10-year $700 million contract with the Dodgers. Almost everyone in the organization tried their hand at luring the generational player, who in hindsight had already made up his mind about not wanting to change his residence, moving from Anaheim as part of the Angels to the other part of the city.

The 'Ohtake17' campaign was one such effort led by pitcher Joe Kelly's wife. She made several videos on her Instagram playfully trying to grab Ohtani's attention. Before Ohtani, Kelly was the one donning the #17 jersey. In one video, Ashley brought out all her husband's merchandise and wrote Ohtani's name over it. She also went to the extent of playfully renaming their son from 'Kai' to 'Sho Kai'.

All these efforts came to the two-way sensation's notice as he gifted Ashley a Porsche. In an Instagram story, Ashley could be seen opening her front door to a car waiting in her driveway.

Fans were thrilled as they took to X, formerly Twitter, to celebrate the occasion.

"Tops any gift Joe ever got her," one fan wrote.

"She’s the real reason he’s a dodger," another wrote.

Here are a few other reactions:

Joe Kelly gave up the #17 for Shohei Ohtani

Before Shohei Ohtani was signed by the Dodgers, the organization extended Joe Kelly's contract by a year. However, he had to adjust as the club reportedly asked him to take up a new number for the 2024 season.

The relief pitcher had playfully mentioned he would be willing to share the #17 with Shohei before changing to the #99. Both are expected to be important pieces in the Dodgers roster for the following season.