Have you ever thought that a player can be so skilled in two different roles that the whole world falls in love with his magic? Shohei Ohtani has done something similar. He is such a star in the world of baseball, whose shine is attracting everyone towards him.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 5, 1994 |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in |
| Weight | 210 lb |
| Place of birth | Ōshū, Iwate, Japan |
| High School | Hanamaki Higashi, Iwate, Japan |
Early Life
Shohei was born on 5 July 1994 in Oshu, a small town in Japan. He was bitten by the baseball bug since childhood. His father Toru Ohtani himself was an amateur baseball player, and mother Kayoko was a national level player in badminton. In such a situation, the passion for sports was in Shohei’s blood.
During his school days, Shohei was called “Yakyu Shonen” i.e. “Baseball Boy”. He used to think about baseball all the time. Along with studying at Hanamaki Higashi High School, he further improved his game. The interesting thing is that Shohei was so good at swimming that he could also go to the Olympic team. But his heart was set on baseball.
After finishing school, Shohei started his career in Japan’s Professional Baseball League. There he performed so well that the big teams of America’s Major League Baseball (MLB) caught his eye. In 2018, he started his MLB career with the Los Angeles Angels and then what, he kept doing wonders one after the other.
| Professional information | |
|---|---|
| NPB Debut | March 29, 2013, for the Hokkaidō Nippon-Ham Fighters |
| MLB Debut | March 29, 2018, for the Los Angeles Angels |
| Jersey Number | 17 |
| Position(s) | Pitcher / Designated hitter |
| Present Team | Los Angeles Dodgers (2024–present) |
| Los Angeles Angels | 2018–2023 |
| Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters | 2013–2017 |
Personal life
Now talking about Shohei’s personal life, recently he has given a big good news. He announced his marriage on 29 February 2024. His wife Mamiko Tanaka is a professional basketball player. The pair of both looks perfect – two sports stars together!
Shohei is very close to his family. His elder brother Ryuta also plays baseball, and elder sister Yuka is a nurse. The support of the family always gives strength to Shohei.
Contract
Shohei Ohtani’s latest contract has made history in professional sports. On December 9, 2023, he signed a staggering 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This contract is not only the largest in MLB history but also the biggest in all of professional sports.
The deal includes a full no-trade clause and is structured in a unique way. Ohtani will earn an annual salary of $70 million, with a significant portion of his earnings deferred to keep the team’s payroll flexibility for competitive purposes. This contract will keep Ohtani with the Dodgers through the 2033 season, after which he will become an unrestricted free agent in 2034.
| Awards | |
|---|---|
| MLB All-Star | 2021–2024 |
| MLB AL MVP | 2021 & 2023 |
| MLB All-MLB First Team | 2021–2023 |
| MLB All-MLB Second Team | 2021 & 2022 |
| MLB AL Rookie of the Year | 2018 |
| MLB Silver Slugger Award | 2021 & 2023 |
| MLB Edgar Martínez Award | 2021–2023 |
| MLB Hank Aaron Award | 2023 |
| MLB home run leader | 2023 |
| MLB triples leader | 2021 |
| MLB Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award | 2021 |
| MLB AP Male Athlete of the Year | 2021 & 2023 |
| MLB Hit for the cycle on June 13, 2019 | |
| NPB Japan Series champion | 2016 |
| NPB All-Star | 2013–2017 |
| NPB Pacific League MVP | 2016 |
| NPB Pacific League Pitcher Best Nine | 2015–2016 |
| NPB Designated Hitter Best Nine | 2016 |
| NPB Pacific League ERA leader | 2015 |
| NPB Pacific League Battery Award, with Shota Ono | 2015 |
| NPB Japan Professional Sports Grand Prize | 2016 & 2018 |
| NPB WBSC Player of the Year | 2015 |
| World Baseball Classic MVP | 2023 |
| All-World Baseball Classic Team | 2023 |
| Gold medal World Baseball Classic – Miami | 2023 |
| Bronze medal 2015 WBSC Premier12 – Tokyo | 2015 |
Net Worth
As of 2024, Shohei Ohtani’s estimated net worth is approximately $60 million. This impressive figure is a result of his outstanding baseball career, lucrative contracts, numerous endorsement deals, and smart investments. With his recent record-breaking contract, Ohtani’s net worth is expected to skyrocket in the coming years.
Salary
Under his new contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani will earn an annual salary of $70 million. This makes him the highest-paid player in MLB history by a significant margin. It’s worth noting that a large portion of this salary is deferred, which allows the Dodgers to maintain financial flexibility for building a competitive team around their superstar.
In addition to his baseball salary, Ohtani earns a substantial income from endorsements. According to Forbes, he makes around $35 million annually from various endorsement deals with companies such as New Balance, Asics, Oakley, and Panini, among others.
House
Despite his fame and fortune, Shohei Ohtani is known for being extremely private about his personal life, including his living arrangements. During his time with the Los Angeles Angels, there were rumors that he resided somewhere near Newport Coast in Newport Beach, California. However, Ohtani has never confirmed these reports, and details about his current residence remain undisclosed.
Given his recent move to the Los Angeles Dodgers and his substantial new contract, it’s possible that Ohtani may choose to purchase a new home in the Los Angeles area. However, until he or his representatives make an official statement, any information about his living situation remains speculative.
Shohei’s story is not just about a player, but about a person who worked day and night to fulfill his dreams. He proved that if you want something with all your heart, any difficulty becomes easy.
Today Shohei is not just a player, but an inspiration for the whole world. He is teaching young players how to master more than one skill. Because of him, a new trend has started in baseball, where players are trying to become both, not just a pitcher or a hitter.
Shohei Ohtani’s story teaches us that it is good to have dreams, but it is important to work hard to fulfill them. He reminds us to never limit our abilities. Who knew that a boy from a small Japanese town would one day become the biggest baseball star in the whole world?
So the next time you watch Shohei play on TV, remember that he is not just a player, but a living inspiration. His story teaches us that if we live our passion with full intensity, nothing is impossible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was shohei ohtani an all star?
Yes, Shohei Ohtani has been selected as an MLB All-Star Four times (2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024).
How many languages does Shohei Ohtani speak?
Shohei Ohtani speaks Japanese and English
Does Shohei Ohtani have any rings?
No, Shohei Ohtani has not won any World Series rings in his MLB career yet.
How tall and heavy is Shohei Ohtani?
Shohei Ohtani is 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm) tall and weighs about 210 pounds (95 kg).
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