Shohei Ohtani is a professional baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Known as Shotime, he excels as both a pitcher and designated hitter, making him a rare two-way player.
Ohtani won his second AL MVP in 2023, leading the league with 44 home runs and achieving 10 wins as a pitcher.
He signed a historic 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers after the 2023 season.
Ohtani also led Japan to victory in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, earning MVP honors.
Siblings
Ohtani is the youngest of three siblings.
He has an older brother, Ryuta, born on March 20, 1988, who plays amateur baseball in the Japanese Industrial League.
Ohtani also has an older sister, Yuka, who previously played volleyball and is now in the nursing profession.
The Ohtani family has a strong athletic background, with both parents being involved in sports during their youth.
Career
Ohtani began his professional career with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 2013 to 2017.
He made his NPB debut at just 18 years old and was primarily used as a starting pitcher while also playing as a designated hitter.
Ohtani had a standout season in 2016, posting a 10-4 record with a remarkable 1.86 ERA and striking out 174 batters.
His contributions were pivotal in leading the Fighters to the Japan Series championship that same year, and he was named the Pacific League MVP, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities.
In December 2017, Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Angels, marking his transition to Major League Baseball (MLB).
He made his MLB debut in March 2018 and quickly made an impact, earning the American League Rookie of the Year award after hitting .285 with 22 home runs and recording a 3.31 ERA as a pitcher.
Despite facing some injury challenges, including Tommy John surgery in late 2018 that sidelined him for most of the 2019 season as a pitcher, Ohtani continued to develop his skills.
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The 2021 season marked a historic year for Ohtani, as he became the first player since Babe Ruth to hit over 40 home runs while pitching over 100 innings in the same season.
His exceptional performance earned him the American League MVP award, solidifying his status as one of MLB’s brightest stars.
In 2023, Ohtani further demonstrated his extraordinary talent by leading the league with 44 home runs while also achieving 10 wins as a pitcher.
After an outstanding season in 2023, Ohtani signed a groundbreaking 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024.
Ohtani’s international success includes playing a crucial role in leading Japan to victory in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he was named MVP.
His performance included pitching in key moments and hitting critical home runs, showcasing his ability on an international stage.
Accolades
Ohtani has received numerous accolades throughout his career, solidifying his status as one of baseball’s all-time greats.
In 2023, he was named the American League MVP for the second time, becoming the first player in MLB history to win this award unanimously on two occasions.
He also finished second in MVP voting in 2022 and won the award in 2021.
Ohtani was recognized as the AP Male Athlete of the Year in both 2021 and 2023, joining an elite group of athletes who have received this honor multiple times.
His achievements include being selected to the All-MLB Team multiple times, earning a Silver Slugger Award as the best designated hitter, and winning the Edgar Martínez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award three times.
Ohtani also played a pivotal role in Team Japan’s victory at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he was named tournament MVP.
Throughout his career, Ohtani has garnered various other awards, including Baseball America Player of the Year and multiple MLB Player of the Month and Player of the Week honors.
His exceptional performance has made him a standout player both in Japan and Major League Baseball, with accolades reflecting his unique ability to excel as both a pitcher and hitter.
