One San Francisco Giants fan is hopeful that the way to lure Shohei Ohtani to the Bay Area is through the two-way star’s stomach.
Ike Shehadeh, the founder and owner of Ike’s Love and Sandwiches, shared on social media that he would give Ohtani a lifetime supply of sandwiches, as well as a namesake sandwich, should the two-time American League MVP sign with the team.
Four teams, including the rival Los Angeles Dodgers, are reportedly pursuing Major League Baseball’s most-sought after free agent, who has starred as a pitcher and hitter with the Los Angeles Angels since 2018.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the Giants “have had a long fondness for Ohtani, though where they stand in these sweepstakes is unknown.”
“I really want him to sign with the Giants,” Shehadeh said. “I figured anything I can help the Giants to tip the scales in their favor, why not?”
Shehadeh told The Examiner that he wanted to entice the two-time Silver Slugger by sourcing inspiration from the team’s color scheme, as well as the free agent’s love of In-N-Out Burger. The result is a sandwich complete with cheddar cheese, smoked gouda, steak, barbecue sauce and potato chips.
While that creation is making rounds on social media, Shehadeh said he would work alongside Ohtani on the finished product to “make sure it’s one of the greatest sandwiches in the history of creation.”
Ike’s is no stranger to working with big leaguers. The chain, which started in San Francisco in 2007, has a litany of menu items named after Bay Area sports stars.
Ike’s previously partnered with Tim Lincecum in 2008 to create a menu item for the Giants’ ace. It had to be tweaked during the team’s 2010 World Series run as Lincecum disliked mushrooms, which were on the initial offering. Now, the sandwich’s namesakes are required to help Ike’s Sandwiches brainstorm ideas to avoid moments ripped from a “Curb Your Enthusiasm” episode.
Ex // Top Stories
The Department of Elections said it expects to certify the results of The City’s election within the next two weeks
New Jersey band, playing at Bimbo’s on Wednesday, set for unconventional live show
San Francisco Baykeeper alleges that The City discharges a mix of sewage and other pollutants during heavy rains, which could pose a public-health risk
Shehadeh previously used sandwiches as leverage to lure other free agents to the Bay Area. When Kevin Durant came to the Golden State Warriors in 2016, Shehadeh promised him a lifetime supply of food.
“I don't know if it worked to get KD over here but it didn’t not work, and he definitely ate at Ike’s a lot,” Shehadeh said.
A similar situation unfolded last year with the Giants’ pursuit of Aaron Judge. Shehadeh offered the Yankee endless sandwiches in a post on X, as well as a chance for Judge to have his own sub on the menu.
“I didn’t do a video. I literally just did a tweet and it got a couple of hundred thousand views,” Shehadeh said. “I thought, ‘Shohei’s gonna be a free agent. Why not do it again?’ but I wanted to up it.”
While those offers are on the table, Shehadeh said he also wants to work with Ohtani on projects like coming up with a logo that sports the superstar, as well as shirts.
“This is a once in, maybe, forever talent, and so I had to offer him way more than I offered Aaron Judge,” he added.
Since uploading the video to his social media accounts, Shehadeh said he has had fun watching other Giants fans throw their support behind him, as well as seeing reactions pour in from supporters of competing suitors.
“I'm glad to see that everybody that's passionate about this has gotten passionate about it,” he said. “It’s really what being a fan about whatever your team is about — having fun and being playful and playfully jabbing at each other.”
