Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani began playing baseball in second grade and began his professional career in Japan with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). His exceptional performances earned him the Pacific League MVP in 2016. In 2018, he joined Major League Baseball (MLB) in the U.S., signing with the Los Angeles Angels.

Following his outstanding work for the Angels, Ohtani signed a historic $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in December 2023, marking the largest deal in professional sports history at that time. In his inaugural season with the Dodgers in 2024, Ohtani focused solely on batting due to recovery from an elbow injury that prevented him from pitching. Despite this limitation, he made history by becoming the first player in MLB to achieve 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. Ohtani’s contributions were instrumental in leading the Dodgers to their eighth World Series title in 2024, where they triumphed over the New York Yankees.

Off the field, Ohtani announced in February 2024 that he tied the knot with Mamiko Tanaka. The couple announced that they were expecting their first baby in December 2024. They welcomed a daughter in April 2025.