Fox's Shohei Ohtani graphic explains: Why the at-bat tracker in MLB broadcasts is drawing criticism from fans

Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is playing in the postseason for the first time in his seven-year MLB career.

Los Angeles signed Ohtani to a massive 10-year, $700 million contract this offseason, and the soon-to-be three-time MVP immediately proved his worth.

He had a historic debut season with the Dodgers, becoming the first player in MLB history to record at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season. Ohtani led the National League in home runs (54), RBI (130), on-base percentage (.390), slugging percentage (.646) and OPS (1.036). He also led the entire majors with 411 total bases.

The 6-4 slugger is must-see TV every time he's at bat. In fact, Fox's MLB playoff coverage marks the number of batters until Ohtani's next plate appearance with a special graphic.

This visibility has angered some fans – perhaps because people always need something to be angry about. Here you can find out more about the graphics and the criticism of them.

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Fox's Shohei Ohtani at-bat graphic draws criticism from fans

If you watched either of the Dodgers' first two NLDS games against the Padres, you didn't miss Fox's graphic above the score bug, showing viewers the number of batters until Ohtani's next plate appearance.

Fox used a large picture of Ohtani with the number of batters removed in large captive font. Padres fans were less than happy with the program's obvious bias.

…do you at least try to hide the bias? pic.twitter.com/K7ab8LdHOs

– cooking (@cook17) October 6, 2024

The Internet had a lot of fun with the unorthodox promotion of a particular player, incorporating the graphic into other sports broadcasts using, among other things, Photoshop.

I thought it was just AL games today??? 😟 I'm at work too??????? Wtf, MLB…the bias is unreal pic.twitter.com/56weGAkjQY

– nat ☽ (@xnatandreasan) October 8, 2024

This is completely out of control… who is this Ohtani guy? pic.twitter.com/R9n7ywj1Dg

– Taylor (@Tmac2_) October 6, 2024

You'd think this guy was the bogeyman the way FS1 behaves pic.twitter.com/CD9zCqgLM1

– IcyVert (@IcyVert) October 7, 2024

MORE: World Series Predictions | Complete playoff schedule | points today

The reality is: Why wouldn't MLB market such an all-time great player?

Baseball has long been looking for a “face of the league,” and Ohtani is undeniably one of the best players to ever play the sport.

He usually does something ridiculous when he sits at the table. While it may come across as Dodgers bias, it's less about the team and more about the size of the player.

Fox and MLB conducted a similar marketing push for Aaron Judge last year, cutting broadcasts to live Yankees games whenever he was on the field as he sought the AL's all-time home run record in a single season.

And the fans were upset about that too.

If you're a San Diego fan, it's understandable that you're annoyed when you're constantly given a visual reminder of when your rival's most dangerous player will take his turn. But otherwise, baseball fans should be grateful that they simultaneously have a player of Ohtani's caliber worthy of having a graphic like this to monitor his every appearance.