A world-renowned sports icon whose name means “to live peacefully while earning fame.” That star is none other than Shohei Ohtani. His father gave him the name “Shohei,” with “Sho” meaning to fly and “Hei” meaning flat. Fittingly, Ohtani has soared to global stardom, becoming a once-in-a-century two-way player who excels as both a pitcher and a hitter.
Speculation about Ohtani’s wife centered around Tanaka Mamiko, a former Japanese basketball player. Fans were thrilled when Mamiko, 27, appeared alongside Ohtani at Incheon Airport, confirming the rumors. Standing 180 cm tall, Mamiko had a successful basketball career, even being named a reserve player for Japan’s 2021 Tokyo Olympic team before retiring in 2023, which sparked speculation that her retirement was tied to her marriage to Ohtani.
Ohtani’s athletic prowess runs in the family. Born to athletic parents, with his father being a semi-professional baseball player, Ohtani developed a passion for sports from a young age. While he dabbled in swimming and badminton, baseball was always his first love. By the time he was in fifth grade, Ohtani was already pitching at speeds over 110 km/h, far beyond his peers, proving his status as a natural-born prodigy.
His remarkable talent wasn’t limited to pitching. As a child, he hit so many home runs during Little League games that baseballs regularly ended up in nearby rivers. His coach even joked about the disappearing baseballs, highlighting Ohtani’s powerful swing.
While Ohtani’s raw talent and physique are extraordinary, his true strength lies in his relentless work ethic and good character. From a young age, he dreamed of playing in the MLB, studying game footage to sharpen his skills. Even when his initial plan to join the MLB after high school didn’t pan out, Ohtani continued to refine his game in Japan’s professional league before finally achieving his dream of playing in the Majors.
Ohtani joined the Los Angeles Angels, where he amazed fans with his 160 km/h fastballs and home run power. He continued to stun the world after his recent move to the LA Dodgers. Ohtani, who has won the MLB MVP twice—the first Asian player to do so—made waves in December 2023 when news broke of his $700 million contract with the Dodgers.
However, true to his character, Ohtani isn’t focused on the money. He agreed to receive part of his salary over the next 10 years, prioritizing winning games over immediate financial gain. This selflessness has only deepened fans’ admiration for him, especially in an era dominated by financial incentives in sports.
In addition to his contract, Ohtani’s 50th home run ball is making headlines. According to U.S. sports media reports on September 25, the ball, stamped with the official MLB logo, has a minimum bidding price of $500,000 at auction, with a potential buyout price of $4.5 million. Fans are eagerly watching to see if this iconic piece of baseball history will break records at auction.
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