Shohei Ohtani, born July 5, 1994, is a professional baseball player who had one of the most memorable MVP seasons in history in 2021.
He joined the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in 2013 and was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in 2018.
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Table of Contents
Shohei Ohtani: Who Is He?
Shohei Ohtani (often spelled Otani) is a Japanese professional baseball player who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in Major League Baseball (MLB).
He is a rare talent that excels at both pitching and batting and is sometimes referred to as Japan’s Babe Ruth. Ohtani was taught to the sport by his father, and his exceptional speed with the fast ball quickly grabbed both domestic and international notice.
Initially, he intended to go to the United States immediately after graduating from high school, bypassing the Japanese draft, but the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball’s (NPB) Pacific League fiercely courted him.
He eventually caved and was selected first overall in the 2012 draft. Ohtani would play for the Fighters for the following five seasons, leading them to the Pacific League Championship and Japan Series triumph in 2016.
He has also received numerous personal honors, including the record for the fastest pitch thrown by a Japanese pitcher and in NPB history, at 102.5 mph.
At the international level, he was a member of Japan’s bronze-medal winning team at the 2015 WBSC Premier 12 championship. He ultimately arrived in the United States in December 2017 as a contract player for the Los Angeles Angels.
Shohei Ohtani: Family Details
Shohei Ohtani: Father
Toru, Shohei’s father, was an outfielder for a corporate-sponsored nonprofessional baseball team.
Toru was a Japanese Industrial League amateur baseball player.
“It wasn’t particularly harsh in his upbringing,” his 60-year-old father adds, “it was quite ordinary, really plain regular,” according to Mainichi.
On March 29, 2018, Shohei Ohtani, a rookie with the Los Angeles Angels, played in the season opener against the Oakland Athletics, where his parents came to support him.
Shohei grew up in Iwate Prefecture with his family. He used to give his father the training journal. His father used to take him swimming to help him develop his signature flexibility, which aids him in pitching and catching.
Toru became a coach for the baseball team “Ichinoseki Little Senior” after obtaining authorization from the club’s manager. In the same organization, he coached his youngest child.
Shohei Ohtani: Mother
Shohei Ohtani’s mother, Kayoko Otani, was born in the Japanese city of Yokohama in 1963.
Kayoko, who will be 60 in 2022, has previously played badminton at the national level and holds the designation of ‘national-level badminton player.’
Shohei was dubbed a ‘yakyu shonen’ as a child who lived, ate, and breathed baseball when he was younger. He was so humble that he trusted his parents with his finances. His mother used to deposit $1,000 into his private bank account on a monthly basis in order to help him achieve financial maturity.
Shohei was Kayoko’s third and youngest child, a “typical baby,” in her mother’s terms. She used to bring Shohei to train with her.
“I would let him play with the equipment,” she continued, “maybe because badminton and baseball have similar motions, but he could swing the racquet like a champion without me having to show him,” according to Nippon.
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Shohei Ohtani: Siblings
Ohtani has two older brothers and sisters. Ryuta, his older brother, is six years his senior. Ryuta Ohtani is a former professional baseball player who is now a coach for Toyota Motor East Japan.
His sister, Yuka, on the other hand, is two years his senior. She started out by playing volleyball. She afterwards retired and entered the nursing profession.
Shohei Ohtani: Childhood And Early Life
Ohtani was born on July 5, 1994 in sh, Iwate, Japan to Kayoko and Toru Otani. In high school, his mother competed at the national level in badminton. Meanwhile, his father was a Japanese Industrial League amateur baseball player.
Shohei Ohtani attended Hanamaki Higashi High School in Japan’s Iwate Prefecture. As an 18-year-old high school pitcher, he pitched a 160 km/h (99 mph) fastball at the Japanese national high school baseball championship event, also known as Summer Koshien.
During the 2012 18U Baseball World Championship, Ohtani had a 0-1 win-loss record, 16 strikeouts, eight walks, five hits, five runs, and a 4.35 earned run average in 1013 innings pitched.
Shohei Ohtani: Net Worth 2023
According to Forbes, four years into his US tenure, Ohtani earns roughly US$6 million in annual endorsements, the most of any league player. Indeed, his reported US$10 million in Japanese endorsements implies he is extending his lead as the most marketable.
It is worth noting, however, that Ohtani’s Angels salary of about US$12.3 million is less than the US$20 million posting fee paid to the Nippon-Ham Fighters to secure the contract.
Ohtani may have avoided the league’s international player signing limits if he had waited until he was 25 before heading to the United States. According to Forbes, the Boston Red Sox wanted Ohtani to wait so they could negotiate a better deal, but he was enthusiastic about relocating at the time.
Shohei Ohtani: Does He Have A Girlfriend?
The shift in Ohtani’s relationship was most likely inspired by the life plan he drew up in high school. He intended to win the World Series and marry at the age of 26 at the time.
Years later, followers awaited his fulfillment of some of the things he had mentioned in his life plan (particularly acquiring a girlfriend or wife).
some theories contend that Shohei Ohtani is dating Maika Kano, a former Japanese volleyball representative.
The rumors spread like wildfire after Ohtani and Kano both wore Tiffany bracelets with the same pattern on their left wrists.
Following that, Ohtani’s alleged girlfriend played one of his games on her 30th birthday. Regardless, there has been no evidence to support the claim that the MLB star and Maika Kano are dating.
As a result, Shohei Ohtani most likely does not have a girlfriend at the time of writing this article. We hope he can eventually follow in the footsteps of Mike Trout or Mookie Betts.
Shohei Ohtani Announced WBC Participation For Next Season!
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Shohei Ohtani: Career Details
- Career statistics for Shohei Ohtani In the early stages of his career, he set the record for the fastest pitch by a Japanese high school pitcher, clocking in at 99 mph.
- As if that wasn’t enough, he competed in the 2012 18 U Baseball World Championship, finishing with a 0-1 win-loss record, 16 strikeouts, eight walks, five hits, five runs, and a 4.35 earned run.
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- However, Masao Yamada, the manager of the Nippon-Ham Fighters, made a huge step and signed him as their first draft pick. Meanwhile, the management started courting the player to stay in Japan.
- He remained a valued member of the team, setting and breaking numerous records before departing in 2017.
- The famed athlete signed a contract with the Los Angeles Angels on December 8, the same year. He did not make his debut, however, because he was later diagnosed with a first-degree UCL sprain in his right elbow.
- After a brief stay in the hospital, the athlete returned to the pitch and continued to shower his new club with victories. He was named American League Rookie of the Year in November 2018.
- He played for two years in a row before finally signing the long-awaited deal. Shohei Ohtani agreed to a $8.5 million contract with Los Angeles on February 8, 2021. Despite attempts to deal Shohei Ohtani, none have been successful.
- As a result, the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball are Shohei Ohtani’s current team as of September 2022.
Shohei Ohtani: Injury Update
Shohei Ohtani, who recently committed to the Los Angeles Angels after a prolonged recruitment process, is reportedly battling an elbow issue that could have major long-term consequences if it worsens.
Ohtani was previously diagnosed with a first-degree UCL sprain in his right (throwing) elbow based on a physical conducted on Tuesday.
While the injury is not life-threatening, Passan warns that “additional damage could lead to Tommy John surgery, a reconstructive procedure that keeps pitchers out for a year.”
Billy Epler, the Angels’ general manager, told media Ohtani had a physical, and the elbow showed “no evidence of acute or fresh injuries in the elbow,” as well as being “consistent” with comparable aged pitchers.
Ohtani “underwent a platelet-rich plasma injection on his right elbow in October,” according to Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci, which was termed as a “preventative step” by his agent, Nez Balelo.
“Although partial UCL injury in the deep layer of his right UCL exists…he is able to resume full baseball involvement with a sufficient elbow care program,” according to Passan’s medical.
In addition, Ohtani had arthroscopic right ankle surgery in October. His recuperation, though, is expected to be completed before the start of spring training.
Ohtani, who signed with the Angels on Friday, is anticipated to contribute as a real two-way player on the mound and at the plate.
Ohtani recorded 29 strikeouts and 19 walks in a tiny 25.1-inning sample with Japan’s Nippon Ham Fighters during his final season. During the shortened season, he also hit.332/.403/.540 with eight home runs and 31 RBI in 231 plate appearances.
Shohei Ohtani: Likes And Interests
Favorite Actress | Emma Watson |
Favorite App | NA |
Favorite Food | Japanese Soup |
Favorite Beverages | Drink |
Favorite Color | white & Red |
Favorite Destination | South Korea |
Shohei Ohtani: Awards
NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball)
- Japan Series champion (2016)
- 5× NPB All-Star (2013–2017)
- Pacific League MVPÂ (2016)
- 2× Pacific League Pitcher Best Nine (2015–2016)
- Designated Hitter Best Nine (2016)
- Pacific League ERA leader (2015)
- Pacific League Battery Award (2015)
- 2x Japan Professional Sports Grand Prize (2016 and 2018)
- WBSC Player of the Year (2015)
MLB (Major League Baseball)
-  All-Star (2021)
- AL Rookie of the Year (2018)
International Arena
- 2015 Premier12 (bronze medal)
Shohei Ohtani: Personal Information
Full Name | Shohei Ohtani (大谷 翔平) |
Date of Birth | July 5, 1994 |
Birth Place | Ōshū, Iwate, Japan |
Nick Name | Sho Time |
Religion | Christian |
Nationality | Japanese |
Ethnicity | Asian |
Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
Age | 28 years old |
Height | 6’4″ (1.93 meters) |
Weight | 92 kg (203 lbs) |
Hair Color | Dark Brown |
Eye Color | Black |
Build | Athletic |
Father’s Name | Koru Ohtani |
Mother’s Name | Kayoko Ohtani |
Siblings | Two older siblings (one named; Ryuta Ohtani) |
Education |
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Shohei Ohtani: Career Stats
STATS |
---|
Regular Season |
Career |
GP | GS | CG | SHO | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | K |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
28 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 166.0 | 124 | 45 | 43 | 14 | 44 | 219 |
63 | 63 | 0 | 0 | 349.2 | 263 | 119 | 115 | 35 | 118 | 441 |
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