Last week, MLB star Shohei Ohtani delighted fans in Japan with a triumphant return for an exhibition game, marking his first appearance in a major league uniform in front of a home crowd. Prior to the game, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ standout player granted a rare interview, discussing his return to Japan, his season expectations, and his influence on young baseball enthusiasts. “It’s truly special to kick off the season here this time around,” Ohtani expressed. “I hope this year becomes truly unforgettable for me.”
Even for Ohtani, a renowned figure on both sides of the Pacific, surpassing last year’s extraordinary performance will be a challenge. With 54 home runs, 59 stolen bases, and a first World Series championship win with the Dodgers under his belt, Ohtani shared the team’s ambition to secure back-to-back titles. On a personal level, he emphasized, “This season, returning as a pitcher, I aim to approach it conscientiously while ensuring strong results as a batter.”
Ohtani’s remarkable prowess in both hitting and pitching has drawn comparisons to baseball legend Babe Ruth in today’s generation. Ruth, known as the “Sultan of Swat,” played a pivotal role in promoting the sport in Japan during a series of exhibition games in 1934. “Being likened to or mentioned alongside Babe Ruth, whom I greatly respect, is always a special honor for me,” Ohtani remarked.
Although baseball is often hailed as America’s pastime, Ohtani’s image adorns advertisements and merchandise across bustling Tokyo streets, reflecting his widespread popularity in Japan. Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts, with Japanese heritage, acknowledged Ohtani’s role as a representative for an entire nation. “As we approach the first pitch, this place is packed with fans from around the globe,” Roberts noted before the exhibition game.
Similar to the impact Ruth had on baseball decades ago, Major League Baseball is placing its faith in Ohtani’s growing popularity. “It’s incredibly meaningful to me when young baseball players express their desire to emulate Shohei Ohtani. This has been a common occurrence both in Japan and since my time in America,” Ohtani shared. “I feel a strong sense of responsibility to not disappoint these kids.”
A year ago, Ohtani discovered that his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, had embezzled nearly $17 million from him to settle gambling debts. Ohtani has chosen not to comment publicly on the incident since last March and is focused on the upcoming season. Mizuhara was sentenced in February to over four years in prison and ordered to repay $18 million.
The Dodgers are set to kick off their season with a series in Japan against the Chicago Cubs starting on Tuesday.
