Shohei Ohtani is widely regarded as the premier player in contemporary American baseball, drawing comparisons to the legendary Babe Ruth, who played in the early 20th century. Unlike Ruth, who excelled as both a pitcher and a home run hitter at different points in his career, Ohtani has achieved unprecedented success in both roles simultaneously.
The Athletic, a prominent sports publication in the United States, praised Ohtani’s multifaceted abilities, describing him as “everything, all at once, a physical marvel and a thinking man, a supreme talent and a grunt worker, a pitcher and a hitter, and it is no small thing that he is often one of the biggest players on the field.”
Ohtani’s journey began in Japan, where he played as both a pitcher and an outfielder for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters from 2013 to 2017. His transition to Major League Baseball (MLB) came in 2018 when he signed with the Los Angeles Angels and was subsequently named American League Rookie of the Year. Despite facing injury setbacks in 2019 and 2020, Ohtani had a breakout season in 2021, showcasing his exceptional skills as a two-way player.
A defining moment in Ohtani’s career occurred during the 2021 All-Star Game, where he made history by starting as both the leadoff batter and the starting pitcher in the same game—a feat never before accomplished. This remarkable performance, which included participating in the home run derby just 24 hours earlier, solidified his status as a baseball phenomenon. Celebrating his achievement, Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame batter Isao Harimoto famously remarked in a national TV interview, “How do you like Japanese baseball now?”
By the end of the 2021 season, Ohtani was a leading contender for the home run crown, having hit 46 home runs, and was also in the running for the Cy Young Award, given to the best pitcher of the year. He received multiple accolades, including being unanimously voted Major League Baseball’s Player of the Year, American League Outstanding Player, American League Most Valuable Player, and a special “Historic Achievement” award from the MLB Commissioner’s Office. His electrifying performances led Los Angeles baseball TV announcers to coin the term “Shotime” to capture the essence of the Shohei Ohtani phenomenon.
Ohtani’s stellar career continued in 2023, beginning with his leadership of the Samurai Japan team to victory over the U.S. team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. His performance, highlighted by striking out superstar and Angels teammate Mike Trout in the bottom of the ninth inning to secure Japan’s third WBC title, earned him the tournament’s MVP award.
During the 2023 MLB season, Ohtani made history as the first player to achieve 10 wins as a pitcher and 40 home runs in a single season. He also became the first Japanese-born player to win a major league home run crown, leading the American League with 44 home runs. Additionally, Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to be unanimously voted MVP for a second time.
Following the 2023 season, Ohtani signed a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the largest in professional sports history. However, an offseason elbow procedure meant Ohtani would not pitch during the 2024 season, focusing instead on his role as a designated hitter, a position that allows him to bat in place of the team’s pitcher. This role is particularly fitting for Ohtani, given that most pitchers are not strong hitters.
At 29 years old, Ohtani is just reaching his peak, with the potential for even greater achievements in the years to come. Beyond his extraordinary athletic talent, Ohtani is driven by a desire to be the greatest baseball player ever, dedicating himself fully to his craft, often spending nights alone and meticulously documenting every aspect of the game in notebooks.
Ohtani’s dedication reflects the rigorous training traditions of Japanese baseball, which demand self-discipline both on and off the field. This contrasts with the more individualistic approach seen among American players. When Japan adopted baseball in the 19th century, training methods for college players were akin to those of samurai-inspired martial arts, pushing athletes to their physical limits.
Historical training regimens were notoriously intense. Players would often swing the bat up to 1,000 times a night in their dormitory. Suishu Tobita, a renowned coach from Waseda University, famously drove his players to exhaustion, describing his method as “death training” due to its grueling nature. In the 1960s and 1970s, Yomiuri Giants’ star hitter Sadaharu Oh trained under a similarly rigorous year-round regimen, incorporating Zen and martial arts. Giants manager Tetsuharu Kawakami was a strict disciplinarian who spent winters in Zen temples honing his concentration.
This intense training mentality was also depicted in the popular anime series “Kyojin no Hoshi” (“Star of the Giants”), which portrayed a boy undergoing brutal daily training under his father’s guidance to become a professional baseball star. The protagonist’s training included wearing a steel vest 24/7 to build strength, reflecting the extreme measures taken to cultivate resilience.
The emphasis on toughness is still evident in Japan’s National High School Baseball Championship tournament, the most popular sporting event in the country. The grueling competition requires pitchers to throw on consecutive days, with a record pitch count of 948 in 69 innings held by a player in the 2006 tournament.
Ohtani is known for his clean lifestyle, avoiding alcohol and smoking, and maintaining a private personal life. He surprised many with his marriage announcement in February 2024 to former professional basketball player Mamiko Tanaka, whom he met at a local gym. Despite his fame, Ohtani remains humble and focused, with his annual endorsement revenue nearly matching his baseball salary, though he is selective about endorsements to avoid distractions from his sport.
In an era where many athletes are driven by greed and entitlement, Ohtani stands out as a purist, likened to a warrior monk. He lived modestly in a small apartment near Angels Stadium, eating alone and dedicating his free time to improving his baseball skills and studying English. His only brush with scandal involved his longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who was accused of embezzling $16 million from Ohtani’s bank account to cover gambling debts. An investigation cleared Ohtani, revealing his deep trust in Mizuhara and disinterest in managing his financial affairs.
Ohtani’s likable personality, marked by his generosity and humility, has made him one of the most beloved players in MLB. He is known for his friendly demeanor, rarely complaining, and sharing his All-Star game home run derby winnings with staff. His respect for the game and others, exemplified by picking up broken bats and cleaning bases with his batting gloves, has endeared him to fans. He also frequently visits children’s hospitals, further demonstrating his kind nature.
Ohtani’s impact extends beyond his individual achievements, bridging the gap between Japanese and American baseball. Standing 6’4″ and weighing 220 pounds, he is built like an American football player, yet he embodies the values and discipline of Japanese baseball. Japanese filmmaker Ema Ryan Yamazaki noted that “Ohtani’s talent and achievements have become a huge source of pride for the Japanese people. He’s kind of like an American version of a Japanese player.”
Ohtani is also celebrated as an all-American hero, with many Americans rooting for him to surpass Babe Ruth’s records as both a pitcher and batter. His remarkable talent and character make him the best goodwill baseball ambassador of all time.
