Its got to be.. Hes an unbelievable player. Ohtani was matched up against a familiar face Tuesday, the As starting Shintaro Fujinami on the mound. Shohei was first introduced to baseball by his father. READ MORE: Do the Phillies have any MVP contenders? Mike Trout says this has got to be the year the Angels get back into the playoffs. I was like, Oh my God, this is amazing. In the course of writing Shohei Ohtani s Rookie of the Year feature, a lot of people within the game shared interesting tidbits and thoughts about the As mentioned, Ohtani always wanted to go straight to the majors. What Ohtani really wanted to do after finishing school was to play in the United States, for an MLB team. But theyre all in the same boat now. Back in his high school years, Ohtanis coach made them swim workouts every day. Although he isnt known as a swimmer, he would be the fastest swimmer on his team. He even earned the swimming coachs praise, saying that he could have bagged a spot in the Olympic team if he pursued the sport. the odds look long to hold onto Ohtani as a free agent. Shohei Ohtani won the MVP in 2021, and he's the favorite to do it again in 2022 currently at BetMGM. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. At +450, Judge and Trout have an implied win probability of just 18.2%. Finally, with the way pool play is constructed, Japan wont have to deal with either the Dominican Republic or the U.S. until at least the semifinals. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. He hears about it a lot, he said, especially at his beloved Eagles games, where fans and neighbors are constantly telling him to come home to Philly. Ohtani was recognized for his pitching talent even before he joined the big leagues. "That was just today, I don't know what's going to happen.". In an effort to develop financial maturity in him, his mother puts about $1,000 every month in his personal bank account, but according to reports, he rarely makes use of it. 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Fujinami also said he had no issues with the pitch clock despite having never experienced it in a game setting prior to Tuesday, which he partially credited to the convenience added by the PitchCom system that Langleliers used to deliver the signs. The new rule requires pitchers to throw within 15 seconds of receiving the ball when the bases are empty, and 20 seconds when theres a runner on base. Aroldis Chapman's Royals career starts with weird injury a Patrick Kane trade shows Rockstar Rangers are going for it, The Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast, The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman, Amazin' But True: A NY Mets Baseball Podcast, Gangs All Here: A NY Jets Football Podcast, King Charles evicting Harry, Meghan from Frogmore Cottage, giving to Andrew, 11-year-old reads aloud from 'pornographic' book he checked out from library at school board meeting. Personal Profile playersbio.com 1. The power-hitting left fielder Hideki Matsui was his idol. Heres why the team is wearing patches with FBM in spring training. Ohtani leads the majors as the hitter that has barreled most baseballs. Shohei suffered many groin and hamstring injuries in his teenage years which also posed some issues in his pitching mechanics. Anthony Rendon, whos missed more games than hes played since signing for $235 million, is healthy, and he homered here already. In his first inning of work, Fujinami, one of the As significant free-agent signings this winter, notched a pair of strikeouts, both on his heralded, low-90s splitter, fooling Angels infielders David Fletcher and Jake Lamb, who both waved and missed at the pitch for strike three. Our money is on Italy at +400 at FanDuel. Which one is favored to win it all? He departed after a visit from Manager Phil Nevin, content after throwing 33 pitches with two walks, two strikeouts and no hits. You cant take it away from him. They raised hopes without breaking the bank. Fujinami, who went two innings, was paying attention to his mound opponent, he said. If youre a believer of personality traits ruled by ones zodiac sign, you might agree that his own personality matches that of a true Cancer. Copyright 2023 IBTimes LLC. He lost a considerable amount of weight, which will help him quicken his recovery between pitches. Ohtani is one of them. He is expected to board a flight for Japan on Wednesday, then join his countrymen for what is projected to be a long WBC run. Angels star Shohei Ohtani bats during a spring-training workout on Feb. 17. The 27-year-old bachelor has no reported girlfriend and is unmarried. We have a great group and Im excited to see whats going to happen.. Aside from his impressive play in the diamond, Ohtani also impresses off field with his warm presence and sunny personality. Ohtani, 28, not only has captivated our attention in this country, but he has become perhaps the most popular Japanese player in history. Ohtani pitched 2 hitless innings against Oakland on Tuesday, striking out two and walking two. In the wake of last week, Ohtani hype has spiked to levels unseen since the spring of 2018. He has shown typical Cancer traits like being sensitive, compassionate, loving and having a goofy disposition. Three Bay Area men, including justice reform activist, plead guilty in Norteo RICO murder case, Californias hardest to book campground isnt in a famous park. The positive constants the last five years have been the presence of the games two best players Trout and Ohtani. WebShohei Ohtani Is Built to Last Ohtani has recently added muscle to improve durability. The As have lost two in a row after a 2-0 start. Shohei Ohtani celebrates his birthday on July 5. It was his first time hitting with the new pitch clock in use during a game. Despite the majority of the Japanese population adhering to Shintoism, Ohtani is a practicing Christian. He isnt even thinking about leaving himself, or even the possibility of going home to Philly (more on that later) in trade, should this year start to look like past years. Ohtani has a habit of hitting the top of the clubhouse at Diablo Stadium with his batting practice bombs. Angels manager Joe Maddon, not pictured, wants two-way standout Shohei Ohtani to do more than just take a few at-bats as the designated hitter at the All-Star Game later this month in Denver. So far, so good, Ohtani said after 2 1/3 scoreless innings in his spring training pitching debut Tuesday. He could not keep himself in the strike zone as his delivery had become effortful and stiff. Despite that loaded roster, though, the Dominican team is far from an overwhelming favorite. Fujinami established his high-velocity fastball which hovered around 96-98 mph for the entirety of his outing throughout his efficient 13-pitch first inning thats lone blemish was a Luis Rengifo one-out infield single. Hold a runner. I dont really watch the opposing teams pitching in between innings, so I couldnt really tell you, but when the season starts, Ill stand in there and let you know.. Ohtani will play in the World Baseball Classic with Japan, whose first game is March 9. The superstar also excels at stealing bases with his zooming speed. Shohei Ohtani knew coming into spring training that one of his biggest challenges would be the pitch clock. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Inspired by Shohei Ohtani, Angels pitcher Tucker Davidson breaks out new slider. As arguably the worlds most popular baseball player, he now pivots toward baseballs world tournament with a chance to bring more eyes to the WBC than ever before. "I wanted to ease in. Of course, I asked if he would consider waiving his full no-trade clause. He led a remarkable early career at the Nippon Professional Baseball Pacific League before he pursued his MLB dream in the United States. The free agency of Shohei Ohtani, baseballs only two-way superstar, looms for the Los Angeles Angels, but Ohtani wants to focus on winning games. I didnt get to stand in against him so I cant really tell you how his pitches were, said Ohtani, the two-way star who almost certainly will bat against Fujinami during the regular season, probably during the As season-opening homestand against the Angels. Angels right-hander Shohei Ohtani, shown during a game in September, had a smooth spring training outing Tuesday, pitching 2 1/3 innings without a pitch-clock violation. Pitching and warming up. In the early stages of his career, Shohei Ohtani registered the record of the fastest pitch by a Japanese high school pitcher at 99 mph. Thats when they battled each other in the National High School Baseball Championship of Japan the summer before they were both selected in the first round of the Nippon Professional Baseball draft. Sarah Valenzuela is the Angels beat writer for the Los Angeles Times. And where does the best betting value lie? Shohei Ohtani's favorite food is,,,,, 16,187 views Jul 7, 2021 316 Dislike Share Save Star CM Japan 299 subscribers Shohei Ohtani goes to 7-11 to buy crepe. There is not really a point, but I will try to work a little bit faster, he said. Angels manager Phil Nevin said he believes Suarez is a better pitcher when he works quickly. He was born in the year 1994, in Oshu, Iwate, Japan. Although the WBC will not use pitch clocks or allow the use of PitchCom, he will try to continue to pitch a little faster while hes away. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. I'm satisfied," he added. It was a good offseason for sure. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. That problem will likely be limited more this season as MLB now allows pitchers to dictate the PitchCom technology. You cant think of the negative.. Players and fans were confused as to why the ball that was struck never landed. Ohtanis current sports agent is Nez Balelo of CAA Baseball. He is ahead of other notable stars Zack Wheeler (7.8), Carlos Correa (7.2) and Marcus Semien (7.1). At +450, Judge and Trout have an implied win probability of just 18.2%. Despite this, he remains very humble. We push each other all the time. He was included in Japans 28-man roster for the 2017 World Baseball Classic, but had to drop out after suffering the ankle injury. Were only going to get on the same page more often from here.. AP. ET on Feb. 27. Its quite the spectacle early in spring training. They look like a lot more than the most top-heavy team ever created after a winter of excellent adds from Hunter Renfroe to Gio Urshela to Tyler Anderson to Matt Moore to Carlos Estevez. Logan OHoppe hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning and Jake Lamb hit a three-run shot in the fifth. Ohtani is truly a kind soul Aside from his athletic capabilities, he has a heart of gold. Shohei's teammates vouch for his kindness and have only good things to say about him. He even cleans up after himself in the Angels dugout. No wonder hes a crowd favorite. 7. He is baseballs Frankenstein for a reason "Shotime" is dubbed as todays Bambino. Two strikeouts. MESA, Ariz. Shohei Ohtani was scheduled to take the mound for two innings in his 2023 spring training pitching debut Tuesday afternoon but as with everything else in his major league career, he gave even more. The Fighters sweetened their pitch by offering Ohtani a signing bonus of 100 million yen (roughly $1 million) and the maximum rookie salary of 15 million yen (about $150,000). He had made up the decision to go to the US to play in the major leagues after high school. He is the third and youngest child in his family. The backs fine. One rival executive suggested the Angels have a 5 percent chance to keep Ohtani. His incredible first year resulted in a record of 3-0 in 11 starts at the end of the season. This is the year, for sure, Trout told The Post on Monday. On the mound, he was 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts in 130-1/3 innings. New Los Angeles Angels reliever Carlos Estevez already has a question about Shohei Ohtani and his jaw-dropping two-way abilities on the diamond. However, the Nippon-Ham Fighters under the leadership of their general manager Masao Yamada took a huge risk by choosing him as their first draft pick anyway and spent the next few weeks convincing him to stay in Japan. Ohtani, a hitter and outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels, has shown his prowess in the field, earning popularity as one of Major League Baseball's biggest stars. Trout remains the highest paid player in the game after signing a 12-year, $426.5 million contract in 2019. He thought the first time doing that in a game went smoothly, as did Nevin and Wise. Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers all lined up to sign Ohtani. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! As pitchers combined to strike out 13, but also walked 13. The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Rangers' Jacob deGrom looks to set record straight on Mets exit: 'Thought Id be back', Cubs poised to compete again in wake of offseason splurge, Ex-Met Noah Syndergaard thinks he can dominate: 'Was pitching in a straightjacket', Mets' Pete Alonso deal won't come with same Jeff McNeil ease. This time around Ive been calling my own pitches. Shohei Ohtani knew coming into spring training that one of his biggest challenges would be the pitch clock. Langeliers said that Fujinami showcased all of his pitches, including his slider, two-seam fastball and mid-70s curveball. With a talented roster led by superstar Shohei Ohtani, Japan offers the best value to win upcoming international tournament. We have two of the best players in the game (Ohtani and Mike Trout). Being capable of both pitching and hitting is a rare talent in today's baseball, something not seen in about a century since Ruth dominated the sport. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasnt followed: What should you do? MESA, Ariz. -- Shohei Ohtani had no issues with his pitches or the new clock in his first spring training outing this year, his only one for the Los Angeles Angels before he joins Japan for the World Baseball Classic. Ohtani played a pivotal role in the Fighters reaching the 2016 Japan Series and then winning the championship four games to two against Hiroshima Toyo Carp. He is the third and Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels is greeted in the dugout after hitting his 45th home run of the season in the eighth inning of the game against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 21, 2021 in Anaheim, California. As a result, he wont get time to hone in on the timing until hes back. Spring training games commenced over the weekend, beginning the long and arduous slog to early November, when MLB will crown its 2023 champion. He accepted the Fighters offer after much consideration, and debuted at 18 as a rightfielder in the Fighters first game of the season on March 29, 2013. While Ohtani has thrived in the OC and feels comfortable (who wouldnt? As of this writing, there has been no woman linked to Ohtanis arms. After Ohtani scored in the first inning on a single by Anthony Rendon, Taylor Ward and Trout hit consecutive doubles to score three runs in the second. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, And much like the World Cup, sportsbooks across the nation have posted betting odds for the fifth incarnation of the WBC. I was watching the clock here and there, but it didnt bother me much, Fujinami said. Using PitchCom himself and sending his pitch selections to catcher Logan OHoppe, instead of the other way around, Ohtani was looking for a way to get a jump on the new pitch clock. Then comes Venezuela (+1000), South Korea (+1200), Cuba (+1600) and Mexico (+1800). During this period, his pitching mechanics posed some issues. It was Koru Ohtani who influenced Shohei the most in pursuing the sport as he also played baseball and was a corporate league baseball player while he worked at Mitsubishi. However, at Caesars Sportsbook, Puerto Rico (+650) is slotted behind the Dominican Republic, U.S. and Japan. (Photo of Ohtani: Matt Kartozian / USA Today). I pitched like normal.. He was hailed the Most Valuable Player of the season, garnering 253 out of 254 first-place votes. Ohtani is just as big an offender. Ohtani also heads into a free-agent season as a once-in-a-generation two-way player who can hit and pitch at the highest of levels. Did you see that? they exclaimed to one another. Every Angels pitcher who works slowly has their own reason for doing so. Thats because Team USA also will field a lineup filled with MLB superstars. First inning went great, I think the second inning he came out and probably tried to do a little bit more and in doing that he just kind of scattered it around. I know that Japanese fans were looking forward to us facing each other. Just starting from there and then we got (Hunter) Renfroe and a lot of homers, another guy Ive always faced from the other side. Obviously Shohei is on the other side, whos one of the best players in the world, Emerson said. A two-time WBC champion, Japan has the third-shortest odds to win this years tournament. Of course not. I pitch quick anyways, but sometimes I have to think about it a little bit more. Ohtani pitched 2 1/3 hitless innings against Oakland on Tuesday, striking out two and walking two. Before Shohei Ohtani came along, the last Japanese professional player to be an All-Star as a pitcher and hitter was Junzo Sekine. Shohei Ohtani knew coming into spring training that one of his biggest challenges would be the pitch clock. He had an incredibly successful first year in MPB, garnering a record of 3-0 in 11 starts at the end of the season. The choice for the 2016 Pacific League MVP was a no-brainer. I felt like I was playing baseball instead of Yakyu (A Japanese baseball video game). Additionally, he portrays an earned run average (ERA) of 2.52 and a batting average of .286. Shohei Ohtani hits a triple in a spring training game against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. It hit me a little bit. With runners on, he was 25.7 seconds. Shohei Ohtani walks off after his 2 1/3 inning start. Tech, restaurant, logistics layoffs trigger more than 300 Bay Area job cuts, Shooting in Oakland hotel parking lot puts man in critical condition, Antioch: Homicide suspect arrested in Brentwood home, Super sandwiches: 16 of the Bay Areas best sandos to try right now, Skygazers will have a great view Wednesday of two planets that look like they are almost touching, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Denver just got a direct flight to this Caribbean island known for music history and vegetarian cooking, NYC Mayor Adams dismisses need to separate church and state, declares himself a servant of God, Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. He then quickly gained the reputation of a powerful hitter after the incident flooded the headlines. This was no ordinary duel. With this years tournament expanding from 16 to 20 teams for the first time since the WBCs inception in 2006, five teams will compete in one of four pools at four different sites: Chinese Taipei (Pool A), Tokyo (Pool B), Phoenix (Pool C) and Miami (Pool D). The ball popped up high, then came down and hit the wall for a triple in the first inning. Until then, Fujinami will try to build off of his first appearance. Its the same rule for everyone, Ohtani said. American League MVP Odds 2023. Ohtani was born in the city of Oshu, in the Iwate Prefecture, Japan. Ohtani, 15-9 with a 2.33 ERA and 219 strikeouts last season, is slated to start the March 30 opener at Oakland. The Angels beat the As 11-5 at Hohokam Stadium. Trout knows its been a while nine years to be exact. Angels star Shohei Ohtani bats during a spring-training workout on Feb. 17. After his first game experience with the clock, Ohtani acknowledged that hes going to continue trying to adjust to it. Trout, of course, is another regular big hitter, who has also littered many baseballs past the outfield barriers for more than a decade. Before that, the Queens native was a freelancer with bylines in Thrillist and Self Magazine, worked as a production assistant with SNY-TV and MLB.com and briefly was a general assignment reporter for the Bronx Times. That saves time on the number of signals he gives a catcher to get to the pitch he wants to throw. It helped me a lot going to Triple A last year, Suarez said. Kyren Paris drove in five on a triple, walk and double. pic.twitter.com/qJFEsISRiH. When youre standing in the box and Nolan Ryans pacing around the mound, youre like, Oh, hell whats he going to do next to me, right? Nevin said. Mike Trout says this has got to be the year the Angels get back into the playoffs. It can help pitchers think through the at-bat. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? A humble Japanese kid who loved to play baseball on weekends, Ohtani easily found his way to a remarkable professional baseball career. Its a good sign that you guys dont know, Ohtani said, first getting a laugh from Japanese reporters gathered around him, then another when his answer was translated into English. His final line after two innings included three strikeouts on 39 pitches. Since 1921, after the Babe Ruth era, there have only been a few who have shown dominance in both. So which country will be the last standing? Im sure Ill be in the batters box when we face them in a [regular-season] game, so Im looking forward to that, Ohtani said. Youll find out if you watch the games, said Ohtani, the most watchable player of all. Shohei Ohtani walks off after his 2 1/3 inning start. If Tokyo is a fastball, Sapporo is a curveball. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Entering his seventh major league season, the hard-throwing right-hander could become the Angels closer. The player nicknamed Godzilla was his inspiration as he grew his love for the sport. Odds updated as of 4:30 p.m. I thought that we showed the Japanese fans some good entertainment.. With the question of whether he will pitch and hit in the same game seemingly constant, one thing to expect is catcher Kurt Suzuki behind the plate for Ohtanis starts. This has got to be the year, he said. By birth his zodiac sign is Cancer. Yes, you read that right! Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Quijada said he liked taking his time because it allowed him to physically recuperate and mentally think through his plan for the at-bat. But that doesnt alter his consistently positive attitude. Their paths have rarely crossed since, but Tuesdays spectacle probably wont be the last time the new American League West rivals will meet this season. Trout is likely the best legit position player in decades while Ohtani may be the most amazing player in history. Sometimes its a good and purposeful strategy. I didnt rush at all. He continued to be both outfielder and pitcher, while simultaneously improving his batting. Why are the Angels wearing jersey patches with FBM on them? Copyright 2023 ESPN Internet Ventures. The Angels have signed some very big deals, most notably Trout but also Albert Pujols, Anthony Rendon, Josh Hamilton, Justin Upton and others. The Inquirer is not an online gambling operator, or a gambling site. "I was calling my own pitches," Ohtani said. There has been much attention on the performance of Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani. The Angels made many cost-efficient moves in a winter of overall overpayment. The other day, I saw him throwing a laser beam that looked like video game stuff, then he went and hit and hit a bomb right away. Shohei Ohtani took his usual stance in the batters box, bat perked up, face solemn. Ohtani is unique. No wonder hes a crowd favorite. The Dominican Republic (+200 at FanDuel ), Team USA (+280) and Japan (+300) are the clear-cut favorites to win the 2023 WBC. What makes Ohtani so captivating is that he's doing it in a completely different way this season. Two walks. Cuba (+115) gets the nod in Pool A, with Netherlands (+250) and Italy (+400) close behind. Ohtani suffered multiple injuries in his early years at the majors. On Saturday, during Ohtanis session, the few fans that hung around to catch it cheered as his first few balls smacked the batters eye. This contributed to his salary reaching 100 million per year. You got to think faster. What manager Phil Nevin did consider was how the time limit would affect the intimidation factor Ohtani has on opposing batters. The quicker those guys work and the more a hitter can be in the box and not uncomfortable, that may change a few things because he has that intimidating look to him and the way he kind of moves around the mound. Two strikeouts. Like the World Cup and similar international sporting events, the WBC begins with round-robin play in multiple pools. Shohei Ohtani, (born July 5, 1994, Oshu, Japan), Japanese professional baseball pitcher and designated hitter (DH) who established himself as the sports greatest two-way player in a century following his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2018. As soon as he was open to playing in the majors, he gained much attention from some of the worlds biggest baseball clubs. In 2016, he received the Nippon Professional Most Valuable Player Award for an all-around stellar season. The ball came his way and he swung, launching it toward the sky, the arc of the balls path planting it on top of the minor league clubhouse. This is a regular scene at batting practice when Ohtani is up: Towering hits that the 2021 most valuable player shows off just about every spring. Beyond the trio of favorites, only five of My Ryan Tepera was a tick below the Angels slowest workers at 26.8 seconds on average with runners on and 21.9 seconds with the bases empty. Ohtani was definitely an important player for the Fighters, helping them reach the 2016 Japan Series finals and win against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. Martinez believes theres only one conclusion. If Tuesdays Ohtani experience was anything, it was a sign that the star is at ease while at a critical juncture of his baseball career. The 2013 WBC champs are a slight favorite over the U.S., which won its first and only WBC title when the competition was last held in March 2017. The clearest statement of Shohei Ohtanis unique skills came from Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto. His father, Toru, who was a corporate league baseball player and an employee at the local Mitsubishi plant, encouraged both Ohtani and his older brother Ryuta to play the game. As Fujinami strutted off of the mound, he was greeted by supporting chants of Fuji! The team is focused on winning for themselves, and for Ohtani, too. Funny thing is, Ohtani would be well worth the freight. The others: J.T. The Angels have several key pitchers who will need to adjust in order to play within the new pitch-clock rules. Nevin said Gio Urshela lost some weight over the offseason to become more mobile in an effort to play shortstop. Two strikeouts. While it's too early to tell what the future brings for Shohei, many pundits are already considering him as a Hall of Fame contender when he finally hangs his bat and mitts. WebShohei Ohtani is an outfielder and a pitcher who plays for the Los Angeles Angels. Also, he has a strikeout of 624 with 48 home runs in 166 runs batted in. Ohtani pitched 2 1/3 hitless innings against Oakland on Tuesday, striking out two and walking two. Lefty reliever Jose Quijada and starter Patrick Sandoval will also need to speed things up. Tempe, Ariz. New Los Angeles Angels reliever Carlos Estevez already has a question about Shohei Ohtani and his jaw-dropping two-way abilities on the diamond. Shohei became a pro at 18, debuting as a right-fielder for the Fighters in 2013. Sean Berry. He became the newest addition to the Los Angles Angels roster on December 8, 2017. Its no surprise that Ohtani made it to Time Magazines 100 Most Influential People of 2021, he has been extraordinary this MLB season. WebJose Abreu (HOU) +7000. Taking extra time between pitches can serve any manner or purpose. The two-way star, beginning his last season before he can become a free agent, did not bat. When Estevez inked his deal to join the Angels, he was slotted to be a part of the back end of the bullpen and will contend for a closer role with the team this spring. One glance at the pitching probables revealed why. I think Shohei has that presence about him. Nevin even mentioned that it can be used for intimidation purposes against a hitter. At that time, he was throwing at a speed in the mid-90s that eventually reached 99mph.