Shohei Ohtani, widely known as "Shotime" and "The Unicorn," is a Japanese professional baseball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Angels in Major League Baseball (MLB). He began his career with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball's (NPB) Pacific League. Ohtani gained acclaim for his exceptional abilities in both pitching and batting, drawing comparisons to the legendary Babe Ruth. He was selected as the first overall pick by the Fighters in the 2012 draft and played for them from 2013 to 2017, winning the Japan Series in 2016. After the 2017 season, he made the transition to MLB and signed with the Angels, earning the AL Rookie of the Year Award in 2018. Although injuries affected Ohtani's performance in 2019 and 2020, he had an extraordinary 2021 season that made history. He became the first player in MLB history to achieve 10+ home runs and 20+ stolen bases as a hitter, along with 100+ strikeouts and 10+ pitching appearances in the same season. He also held a share of the major league lead in home runs while making 14 starts as a pitcher. His contributions on both sides of the game led to comparisons to Babe Ruth, and he was awarded the 2021 AL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. In 2022, Ohtani continued to make history by becoming the first player in the modern era to qualify for both the hitting and pitching leaderboards in a single season, surpassing the thresholds of 3.1 plate appearances and one inning pitched per game. Internationally, Ohtani represented Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic and was named the tournament's MVP after Japan's victory over Team USA. His unique talent and exceptional performances have established him as one of the greatest players in baseball history, showcasing his abilities as a two-way player and earning him widespread recognition and admiration.
Shohei Ohtani, a Japanese baseball player, is a two-way phenomenon known for his exceptional pitching and batting skills. He began his career with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan before transitioning to the Los Angeles Angels in MLB. Ohtani has drawn comparisons to Babe Ruth and has made history with his impressive performances, including being the first player to achieve 10+ home runs and 20+ stolen bases as a hitter while also recording 100+ strikeouts and 10+ pitching appearances in a single season. He was awarded the AL MVP in 2021 and continues to leave a lasting impact on the world of baseball.
Shohei Ohtani, born on July 5th, 1994, in Mizusawa, Iwate, Japan, comes from a family with a strong sports background. His parents, Kayoko and Toru Ohtani played significant roles in his upbringing. His mother was a talented badminton player during her high school years, while his father worked at a local automobile manufacturing plant and played amateur baseball in the Japanese Industrial League. As the youngest of three siblings, with an older sister named Yuka and an older brother named Ryuta, who is also involved in amateur baseball, Ohtani was raised in a sports-oriented environment. From a young age, he exhibited a passion for baseball and honed his skills under the guidance of his father, showcasing remarkable talent even in his early years. With a devout Christian faith and a zodiac sign of Cancer, Ohtani's dedication to the sport has been evident throughout his life. Inspired by the powerful hitting of Hideki Matsui, a former left fielder for the Yomiuri Giants, Ohtani's interest in baseball grew. Despite initially considering baseball as nothing more than a hobby, his remarkable abilities began to draw attention while attending Hanamaki Higashi High School. By the age of 16, he was already throwing pitches in the mid-90s, reaching a blazing 99 mph just a year later. Standing at an imposing height of six-foot-five at the age of 17, Ohtani's physical prowess allowed him to develop into a dynamic player. However, his rapid growth also resulted in several groin and hamstring injuries that affected him throughout his high school career. During this time, Ohtani faced challenges with his pitching mechanics, struggling to consistently find the strike zone due to an effortful and stiff delivery. Nevertheless, as he continued to grow and mature, these issues gradually faded away.
As a teenager, Shohei Ohtani had the opportunity to play baseball for top high school teams in major cities, but he chose to attend Hanamaki Higashi High School in Iwate Prefecture, Northern Japan, alongside his admired pitcher Yusei Kikuchi. While at Hanamaki Higashi, Ohtani competed as a swimmer and played baseball under the guidance of his coach Hiroshi Sasaki. Sasaki instilled humility in Ohtani by assigning him toilet cleaning duties. Ohtani showcased his talent as a pitcher, throwing a 160 km/h (99 mph) fastball in the Japanese national high school baseball championship tournament. In the 2012 18U Baseball World Championship, Ohtani recorded a 0-1 record with notable statistics as a pitcher. Ohtani received interest from multiple MLB teams but decided to pursue a career in Major League Baseball instead of turning professional in Japan. The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters drafted him in the 2012 NPB Draft, even though they knew he was likely to eventually move to the MLB. Ohtani signed with the Fighters and was given the opportunity to pitch and play as a position player. His jersey number with the team was 11, previously worn by Yu Darvish.
At the age of 18, Ohtani made his debut for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters on March 29, 2013, playing as a right fielder. He was selected for the Pacific League roster in the 2013 All-Star Game and had a versatile role as both an outfielder and a pitcher during his rookie season. Ohtani became the second player in Nippon Pro Baseball history to be used as a pitcher and position player right out of high school, and he started games in both roles. Despite missing some time due to injuries, he had a 3-0 record as a pitcher with a 4.23 ERA and also contributed at the plate with a .238 batting average. Ohtani received votes for the Rookie of the Year Award but finished second in the Pacific League voting. Throughout his tenure with the Fighters, he resided in team-provided dormitories while his parents managed his finances.
Ohtani excelled in both pitching and outfield duties throughout the season. As a hitter, he achieved a .274 batting average with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs in 212 at-bats, while maintaining an impressive .842 on-base plus slugging percentage. On the pitching front, he posted an 11-4 record with a 2.61 ERA in 24 starts, striking out 179 batters in 155.1 innings. Ohtani's exceptional performance included becoming the first Japanese player to achieve double digits in both home runs and wins and recording a 1-0 shutout victory, making him a standout figure in Nippon Professional Baseball. Ohtani set a new record for the fastest official pitch thrown by a Japanese pitcher during the 2014 Mazda All-Star Game, reaching a speed of 162 km/h (101 mph). The jersey he wore in the game became the top-selling item at the All-Star 2014 Charity Auction, with proceeds going towards children's relief funds for the Tohoku earthquake. Additionally, during a game against the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, Ohtani tied the all-time record for NPB pitchers by throwing a 162 km/h (101 mph) fastball that shattered the opposing batter's bat.
During the postseason, Ohtani joined Samurai Japan for the Suzuki All-Star Series, pitching a shutout inning in relief and starting Game 5 with an impressive performance. He recorded seven strikeouts and reached a speed of 160 km/h (99 mph) with his fastball. In December, he signed a new contract that increased his salary to 100 million yen, becoming the second player out of high school in NPB history to reach that milestone after Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2001. In his third professional season in 2015, he excelled as both a pitcher and a hitter. While his offensive numbers declined, he established himself as one of the top pitchers in the league, earning a starting role in the All-Star Game and receiving the Pacific League Best Nine award for pitching. He finished the season with a 15-5 record, a 2.24 ERA, and 196 strikeouts in 160+2/3 innings, leading the league in several categories. His impressive performance led to consideration for the Sawamura Award and a third-place finish in the MVP voting. Ohtani's 2015 season showcased his dominance on the mound, with career-best statistics in various categories.
Ohtani's dominance was on display during the 2015 Premier 12 tournament, where he excelled as a pitcher for the Japanese national team. He showcased his remarkable skills by throwing a 100 mph fastball and recording impressive strikeouts against South Korea in both the group stage and semifinals. Despite his outstanding performance, Japan suffered a shocking defeat in the semifinals. Ohtani led the tournament in ERA, and strikeouts, and had the lowest average against among starting pitchers. He was recognized as the All-Star starting pitcher for the event. In 2016, Ohtani showcased his exceptional skills both as a hitter and a pitcher. He hit 22 home runs, batted .322 with an OBP of .416, and won the Best Nine award as the designated hitter. On the mound, he achieved a career-low ERA of 1.86, a 10-4 record, and won the Best Nine award as a pitcher. He also earned the Pacific League MVP title. Ohtani's outstanding performance in the 2016 NPB All-Star Game as a designated hitter earned him the game MVP honors. He set a new NPB record with a radar gun reading of 165 km/h (102.5 mph).
Ohtani led Nippon Ham to win the 2016 Japan Series, contributing both as a pitcher and a designated hitter. He had a standout performance in Game 3, with three hits and the game-winning RBI. Ohtani received the Best Nine awards as the top pitcher and top DH in the Pacific League, becoming the first player to receive both awards. He was also named the 2016 Pacific League Most Valuable Player, earning an overwhelming majority of the votes. In 2017, he showcased his skills both as a hitter and a pitcher, batting .332 with eight home runs and 31 RBIs while maintaining a 3–2 record with a 3.20 ERA and 29 strikeouts on the mound. He announced his intention to be posted for MLB after the season and underwent ankle surgery. MLB and NPB reached a posting agreement, and Ohtani ultimately signed with the Los Angeles Angels for a $2.315 million bonus.
On December 8, 2017, Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Angels. He was diagnosed with a UCL sprain in his right elbow but received treatment for it. The Angels announced that Ohtani would be both a hitter and a pitcher. He had a strong start to his MLB career, hitting home runs and pitching well. However, he faced injuries, including a UCL sprain, and underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018. Despite the setbacks, Ohtani had an impressive rookie season, winning the American League Rookie of the Year award. In 2019, Ohtani returned to the Angels after Tommy John surgery. He made history by becoming the first Japanese-born player to hit for the cycle in MLB. However, his season was cut short due to a bipartite patella injury. He finished the season with a .286 batting average, 18 home runs, 62 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases in 106 games.
In the 2020 season, delayed by the pandemic, Ohtani made history as the first automatic player on second base but was thrown out in a rundown. He returned to the mound but struggled, allowing five runs without recording an out before being diagnosed with a flexor strain in his right elbow. He did not pitch for the rest of the season. Offensively, he had a challenging year, batting .190 with seven home runs, 24 RBIs, and seven stolen bases in 43 games. Ohtani expressed frustration and disappointment with his performance, feeling unable to perform as he desired.
After the transformative results of the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Shohei Ohtani dedicated the offseason to revamping his approach. He made significant changes to his diet based on blood-sample analysis and focused on strengthening his lower body, aiming to reach a weight of 225 pounds. Ohtani also incorporated new training methods, including squatting heavily and embracing data and technology at Driveline Baseball. In spring training, the Los Angeles Angels agreed to let Ohtani play without restrictions, abandoning the "Ohtani Rules" that limited his pitching and hitting schedule. Ohtani's remarkable 2021 season began with a strong pitching start and a 450-foot solo home run in his first at-bat. He continued to make history throughout the season, becoming the first player to participate in the Home Run Derby as both a pitcher and a position player. Ohtani excelled as a two-way player, leading the American League in home runs and stolen bases and earning multiple Player of the Week and Player of the Month awards. His outstanding performance culminated in him being named the American League Most Valuable Player, winning numerous other accolades, and setting several records, including two Guinness World Records titles. Ohtani's 2021 season was hailed as one of the greatest in sports history.
In 2022, Major League Baseball implemented the "Ohtani rule," allowing pitchers in the batting order to stay in the game as designated hitters after being removed from the mound. The rule was inspired by Shohei Ohtani, a two-way player known for his exceptional skills as both a pitcher and a hitter. This change enabled Ohtani to remain in the game as a designated hitter instead of switching to a defensive position after pitching. Ohtani made history throughout the season, becoming the first player to start Opening Day as both the starting pitcher and the leadoff hitter. He continued to amaze with impressive performances, such as pitching 5+1⁄3 perfect innings and hitting a grand slam in a single game. Ohtani reached several milestones, including hitting his 100th career home run, becoming the third Japanese-born player to achieve this feat. He also joined Babe Ruth as the only players with over 100 home runs and 250 strikeouts as a pitcher. Ohtani's exceptional season culminated with his selection as an All-Star as both a position player and a pitcher, making him the only player to receive this honor twice. He finished the season with a 15-9 record, a 2.33 ERA, 219 strikeouts, and 34 home runs, solidifying his status as one of the league's most formidable players. The impact of Ohtani's performance was recognized beyond the field, as the term "Ohtani rule" was officially added to Dictionary.com.
On May 10, 2023, Shohei Ohtani surpassed Babe Ruth on the all-time strikeout list by striking out Jeremy Peña of the Houston Astros, recording his 502nd career pitching strikeout. This achievement also established a new record for the most pitching strikeouts by a player with 100 home runs. Internationally, in the 2012 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup held in Seoul, Shohei Ohtani represented Japan's Under-18 National Team, which finished sixth in the tournament. Moving on to the 2015 WBSC Premier12, Ohtani played a crucial role as the ace pitcher for the Samurai Japan National Baseball Team, alongside Kenta Maeda, and helped secure a bronze medal. He delivered strong performances in two games against the Republic of Korea, winning the opening round match and receiving a no-decision in the semifinals. Ohtani's impressive contributions led to his inclusion in the 2015 World Baseball Softball Confederation All-World Team and his recognition as the 2015 WBSC Baseball Player of the Year. Although selected for the 2017 World Baseball Classic, Ohtani had to withdraw due to an ankle injury. However, he returned to represent the Japan National Baseball Team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he excelled both as a hitter and pitcher. Ohtani was named the Pool B MVP for his outstanding performances in the group stage, and he further solidified his impact by earning the save in the championship game and winning the tournament's MVP award with a batting average of .435 and a pitching ERA of 1.86.
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Shohei Ohtani, a professional baseball player, showcases his skills as a pitcher, designated hitter, and outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels in Major League Baseball (MLB). With a remarkable net worth of $50 million as of 2023, Ohtani's earnings reflect his exceptional talent and market value. Currently, he enjoys an annual salary of approximately $30 million. The Los Angeles Angels recently secured Ohtani's services with a lucrative one-year contract, underscoring his age and immense potential. In the past, Ohtani signed several smaller contracts totaling $8.5 million before inking his latest deal in 2021, which included $3 million in 2021 and $5.5 million in 2022, in addition to his previous earnings. At the end of 2022, Ohtani finalized a substantial $30 million contract for 2023, solidifying his status as one of the highest-paid players in the league. This agreement translates to an impressive average yearly income of $30 million for Ohtani. Ohtani has amassed his wealth primarily through his successful baseball career. Additionally, he has secured endorsement deals with renowned brands such as Seiko Watch, Panini, Oakley, Fanatics, Hugo Boss, and Topps. In 2021, Ohtani made a significant personal purchase by acquiring a brand-new Tesla Model X SUV, marking his first-ever car purchase. This sleek, all-electric vehicle adds to his impressive collection of luxury cars. As a Japanese baseball player making a name for himself, Ohtani's ownership of the Model X showcases his affinity for cutting-edge technology, impressive range, speed, and safety features. It has become a popular choice among Angels' superstars and serves as a trendsetter for others to follow. Today, Shohei Ohtani is living a lavish lifestyle right now.
Shohei Ohtani is currently not involved in a romantic relationship and is considered to be single at the moment. He was previously rumored to have a connection with professional softball player Kamalani Dung. She got a chance to meet the entire team of the Los Angeles Angels, where she met Shohei Ohtani. The duo met in the year 2018 during a match with the Los Angeles Angels. Kamalani Dung is a softball pitcher from Hawaii. Kamalani is a gold medalist who currently pitches for the Puerto Rican national softball team and the recently established Athletes Unlimited Softball league. In 2018, Kamalani shared several photos on Instagram of her posing alongside a few Angels stars, including Shohei Ohtani and then Los Angeles Dodgers player Kike Hernandez. Kamalani is currently in a relationship with Hawaii-based musician Dillion Pakele. As of now, Shohei is enjoying her single life happily. His sexual orientation is straight and he is not gay.
Shohei Ohtani is a handsome baseball player known for his athletic physique. Standing at an impressive height of 1.93 meters and weighing 95 kilograms, he possesses an athletic body type that is well-suited for his sport. Ohtani's body features include his black hair and captivating dark brown eyes. Sporting a shoe size of 11 in the US measurement system, he maintains his physical form with a body measurement of 43-34-16 inches. With his healthy physique, Ohtani continues to excel in his baseball career.
Shohei Ohtani hails from a family with a strong sports background. His father, Toru, had a career as a player in the Japan Industrial League, which is known for its level of competition and has produced notable players like Junichi Tazawa, who went on to play in Major League Baseball. Meanwhile, Ohtani's mother, Kayoko, displayed her athletic abilities in the sport of badminton. With such a sporting lineage, Ohtani had a solid foundation and support system as he embarked on his own remarkable journey in the world of baseball.
Shohei Ohtani represented Japan in the 2012 18U Baseball World Championship held in Seoul. He was selected to Japan's Under-18 National Team, which finished in sixth place in the tournament. During the championship, Ohtani showcased his skills on the mound, recording an 0-1 win-loss record with 16 strikeouts, eight walks, five hits, five runs, and a 4.35 earned run average (ERA) in 10 and one-third innings pitched.
In 2018, Shohei Ohtani made a highly anticipated debut in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the Los Angeles Angels. On Opening Day, March 29, Ohtani started in the designated hitter position and made an immediate impact, delivering a single in his very first at-bat against the Oakland Athletics. His debut garnered significant attention and set the stage for what would become an exciting MLB career.
In 2021, Shohei Ohtani earned two prestigious titles from the Guinness World Records. He was recognized as the first player ever to achieve both 100+ innings and strikeouts as a pitcher, while also accumulating 100+ RBIs, hits, and runs as a hitter in a single season. This remarkable feat showcases his exceptional skills and versatility on the field. Additionally, Ohtani made history by becoming the first player to start the MLB All-Star Game as both a pitcher and designated hitter.
Shohei Ohtani, in addition to his baseball prowess, has a fondness for manga, particularly the series "Slam Dunk." This popular Japanese comic series has captured his interest and even sparked a desire within him to give basketball a try, despite not considering himself skilled in the sport. Ohtani's enjoyment of manga showcases his diverse interests and reveals a lighter side to his personality beyond the baseball field.