Over the years, baseball has seen some once-in-a-lifetime players, one of whom is Shohei Ohtani. A rarity in the modern game, Ohtani excels as both a pitcher and a hitter, dominating in ways not seen since the legendary Babe Ruth. Let’s take a look at his incredible journey to MLB stardom, which has placed him among the greatest players in the sport.
Early Life and Family Background
Shohei was born in Japan on July 5, 1994, into a family with a natural affinity for sports. His father was an amateur baseball player, while his mother was a competitive badminton player. The two encouraged him to pursue his passion for baseball.
High School Stardom
At Hanamaki Higashi High School, Ohtani’s talent became undeniable. He consistently threw pitches clocking in the mid-90s and hit 99 mph by his senior year. His dual-threat capability as both a pitcher and a batter drew scouts worldwide, making him one of Japan’s most coveted prospects.
The Decision to Stay in Japan
Despite his aspirations to play in the MLB, Ohtani strategically decided to start his professional career in Japan. He was signed by the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in 2012. Over the next few years, he established himself as one of NPB’s most dynamic talents.
The Move To Major League Baseball
In December 2017, Shohei Ohtani made headlines by signing with the Los Angeles Angels. His decision to join the MLB came with high expectations and doubts about whether he could succeed as a two-way player in such a competitive league.
A Sensational MLB Debut
Ohtani’s MLB debut in 2018 was memorable, as he made an immediate impact both on the mound and at the plate. He took home the American League Rookie of the Year award in his first season, finishing with 22 home runs and a 3.31 ERA.
The Historic 2021 Season
The 2021 season was significant in Ohtani’s career, as he delivered one of MLB’s most extraordinary individual performances. That season, he became the first player to be named an All-Star as both a pitcher and a designated hitter, winning the American League MVP award!
Guinness World Records
Shohei also bagged two Guinness World Records accolades in 2021: one for the first MLB player to start an MLB All-Star Game as a designated hitter and pitcher and one for the first player to hit 100+ RBIs, hits, and runs as a batter, 100+ innings, and record 100+ strikeouts as a pitcher in one season.
A Successful 2022 Season
In 2022, Ohtani picked up where he left off in 2021, setting numerous records, including becoming the first player to have ten strikeouts as a pitcher, two RBIs as a batter, and a stolen base in one game since RBI became an official statistic in 1920.
First Career Grand Slam
May 9, 2022, was a monumental day for the acclaimed player, who recorded the first grand slam of his career against the Tampa Bay Rays. In that game, Shohei also surpassed Ichiro Suzuki’s record of home runs in a single game for a Japanese-born MLB player.
Facing Setbacks And Injuries
Despite his success, Ohtani’s journey has been challenging. In 2018, he suffered a significant elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for most of the season. The following year, in September 2019, he suffered a knee injury that kept him out for several months.
Winning The World Baseball Classic
Ohtani was pivotal in helping Japan win their third WBC title, defeating the USA in the final in 2023. The star won the tournament’s MVP award and became the only player to be named to the All-WBC team in two positions: pitcher and designated hitter!
Individual Achievements
Throughout his career, Ohtani has accumulated impressive individual accolades that underscore his exceptional talent. So far, he has four All-Star selections, two American League MVP awards, two Silver Slugger awards, two AP Male Athlete of the Year awards, and a host of other accolades.
Record-Breaking 2024 Season
Ohtani was once again unbeatable in 2024, setting numerous impressive records in the season. His 40-40 club, by becoming the fastest player in history to do it in just 126 games aside, the star became the only player to get 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season.
Legend In The Making
While Shohei hasn’t won MLB’s biggest prize, the Commissioner’s Trophy, his status as one of the sport’s legends is unrivaled. The two-way player has broken countless records in his already illustrious career, and winning the World Series will be the cherry on top.
Current Status
With a bumper historic contract that he signed in December 2023, which will earn him $700 million across ten years, Ohtani is now among the highest-paid athletes in the world. While he didn’t pitch in 2024 due to an injury, the star still had a massively successful season in home runs and RBIs.
15 Defining Chapters in Shohei Ohtani’s Unstoppable MLB Journey