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Everything to know about the extraordinary career of MLB star Shohei Ohtani, exploring his unprecedented achievements, record-breaking contract with the Dodgers, personal life and massive Instagram following.
Who is Shohei Ohtani?
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Shohei Ohtani is a designated hitter and a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Affectionately known by his moniker "Shotime", Ohtani has captivated audiences worldwide with his unparalleled dual abilities.
His journey to baseball stardom includes notable stints with the Los Angeles Angels and an impressive career in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
The rarity of a player achieving elite status as both a hitter and a pitcher has positioned Ohtani in a historical context, drawing comparisons to the legendary Babe Ruth, who similarly dominated both facets of the game.
In a testament to his unique skill set, Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to be named an All-Star as both a pitcher and a position player in 2021.
He further etched his name in baseball lore during the 2024 season by becoming the first MLB player to reach the remarkable milestone of 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.
His extraordinary contributions to the sport have been recognised with multiple prestigious awards, including the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in 2021 and 2023 and the National League (NL) MVP award in 2024.
Shohei Ohtani Age
Born on July 5, 1994, Shohei Ohtani is 30 years old (as of April 2025).
Shohei Ohtani Height
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Shohei Ohtani is 6 feet 3 inches (1.90m) tall. Ohtani’s height provides him with a notable physical advantage in baseball.
As a pitcher, his height contributes to increased velocity and a more pronounced downward angle on his pitches.
As a hitter, his stature offers greater leverage, which translates to formidable power at the plate.
Where is Shohei Ohtani from?
Born in Mizusawa, Iwate, Japan, which is now part of the city of Ōshū, Shohei Ohtani proudly represents his Japanese heritage on the global stage.
Numerous sources consistently identify Ōshū, Japan, as his birthplace. His nationality is Japanese, and he proudly competes for Japan in international baseball events.
Ohtani's Japanese identity is integral to his global appeal, making him a cultural icon both in the United States and throughout Asia, where his achievements resonate deeply.
Shohei Ohtani Biography
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Shohei Ohtani's life story began on July 5, 1994, in Mizusawa, Iwate Prefecture, Japan.
His mother, Kayoko, was a nationally recognised badminton player during her high school years, instilling an early appreciation for athletic excellence.
His father, Tōru, worked at a local automobile manufacturing plant and also played amateur baseball in Japan's Industrial League, further nurturing Shohei's passion for sports.
The youngest of three children, Shohei has an older sister, Yuka, and an older brother, Ryuta, who also participates in amateur baseball.
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From his formative years, Ohtani exhibited an intense dedication to baseball, earning him the affectionate Japanese nickname "yakyū shōnen," meaning "baseball boy".
Under the guidance of his father, he commenced playing baseball in elementary school, quickly demonstrating exceptional talent for the game.
He attended Hanamaki Higashi High School, where his pitching abilities garnered significant attention, reaching a remarkable fastball velocity of 99 mph, which set a record for a Japanese high school pitcher at the time.
Despite his aspirations to transition directly to Major League Baseball after completing high school, Ohtani was selected as the first overall pick by the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in the 2012 NPB draft.
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He played for the Fighters from 2013 to 2017, honing his skills as both a pitcher and an outfielder.
A defining moment during his time in Japan was leading the Fighters to victory in the 2016 Japan Series, an achievement that coincided with him being named the Pacific League's Most Valuable Player.
Following the 2017 season, the Fighters made Ohtani available to MLB teams through a process known as "posting," and he subsequently signed with the Los Angeles Angels.
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His inaugural MLB season in 2018 was highly successful, culminating in him receiving the American League Rookie of the Year award.
The subsequent seasons of 2019 and 2020 were marked by injury setbacks.
However, in 2021, Ohtani achieved a truly historic season, hitting an impressive 46 home runs and striking out 156 batters, which earned him his first AL MVP award and the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award for his unprecedented two-way excellence.
He continued to break new ground in 2022, becoming the first player in the modern era to qualify for both the hitting and pitching leaderboards in a single season.
His remarkable consistency led to his second AL MVP award in 2023, a season where he led the league with 44 home runs while also securing 10 wins as a pitcher, making him the first Japanese-born player to lead a major league in home runs.
After the 2023 season concluded, Ohtani signed a groundbreaking 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers valued at $700 million, which at the time was the largest contract in the history of professional sports.
While recovering from an elbow injury that prevented him from pitching during the 2024 season, Ohtani played exclusively as a designated hitter for the Dodgers.
In 2024, he achieved another unprecedented feat, becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season.
His exceptional performance in 2024 culminated in him being unanimously voted the National League MVP.
He also contributed to the Los Angeles Dodgers' victory in the 2024 World Series.
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On the international stage, Ohtani led Team Japan to victory in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, earning the tournament's MVP award.
Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card
Shohei Ohtani's rookie cards are highly prized possessions among collectors, a testament to his extraordinary talent as a two-way player.
Among the most coveted is the 2018 Bowman Chrome Superfractor Autograph (Batting), estimated to be worth in excess of $1 million.
Another highly valuable card is the 2018 Topps Chrome Sapphire Superfractor Autograph, which fetched $336,000 at auction in September 2024.
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Other notable and valuable rookie cards include the 2018 Bowman Chrome Superfractor Autograph (Pitching) and the 2018 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor Autograph. Generally, rookie cards hold greater value as they represent a player's first officially licensed cards in a major league uniform.
Autographed rookie cards, particularly those signed in Japanese due to their scarcity, tend to command even higher prices.
The market for Ohtani's rookie cards has witnessed substantial growth, reflecting his increasing popularity and success on the field.
Shohei Ohtani Stats
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Shohei Ohtani has demonstrated exceptional performance throughout his career in both Japan's NPB and Major League Baseball, showcasing his remarkable and versatile talent.
His statistics in both leagues highlight his proficiency as both a dominant pitcher and a formidable hitter.
During his NPB career (2013-2017), he achieved 42 wins, 15 losses, a 2.52 ERA, and 624 strikeouts.
At the plate, he recorded a.284 batting average, 48 home runs, and 166 RBIs.
In his MLB career (through April 16, 2025), he has amassed 38 wins, 19 losses, a 3.01 ERA and 608 strikeouts.
As a hitter in MLB, he boasts a.282 batting average, 231 home runs, 575 RBIs, and 150 stolen bases.
His list of key awards and achievements includes the AL Rookie of the Year (2018), 3x MVP (2021, 2023, 2024), 4x All-Star (2021-2024), World Series Champion (2024), and the distinction of being the first MLB player with 50 or more home runs and 50 or more stolen bases in a season (2024), as well as the first player to win the MVP award in both the AL and NL.
Shohei Ohtani Achievements
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- MLB
- World Series champion (2024)
- 2× American League Most Valuable Player (2021, 2023)
- National League Most Valuable Player (2024)
- Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award (2021)
- 4× American League Player of the Month (June 2021, July 2021, June 2023, July 2023)
- National League Player of the Month (September 2024)
- 7× American League Player of the Week (April 8, 2018; September 9, 2018; June 20, 2021; July 4, 2021; June 18, 2023; July 2, 2023; July 30, 2023)
- 4× National League Player of the Week (May 5, 2024; June 23, 2024; September 22, 2024; September 29, 2024)
- 7× All-MLB Team selection
- 5× All-MLB First Team (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
- 2× All-MLB Second Team (2021, 2022)
- 4× MLB All-Star selection (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
- American League Rookie of the Year (2018)
- 2× Hank Aaron Award (2023, 2024)
- 3× Silver Slugger Award at Designated Hitter (2021, 2023, 2024)
- 4× Edgar Martínez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
- 3× Los Angeles Angels Player of the Year (2021, 2022, 2023)
- 2× Nick Adenhart Pitcher of the Year Award (2021, 2022)
- Players Choice Award for Player of the Year (2021)
- 2× Players Choice Award for American League Outstanding Player (2021, 2023)
- Players Choice Award for National League Outstanding Player (2024)
- NPB
- Japan Series champion (2016)
- Pacific League Most Valuable Player (2016)
- 5× NPB All-Star selection (2013–2017)
- 3× Pacific League Best Nine (2015–2016)
- Pacific League Battery Award (2015)
- National
- World Baseball Classic champion (2023)
- World Baseball Classic Most Valuable Player (2023)
- 2× All-World Baseball Classic Team selection (2023)
- WBSC Premier12 bronze medalist (2015)
- WBSC All-World Team selection (2015)
- WBSC Player of the Year (2015)
- 3× Japan Professional Sports Grand Prize (2016, 2018, 2023)
Shohei Ohtani Contract
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After the 2023 season, Shohei Ohtani signed a landmark 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers for a total value of $700 million.
The agreement marked the largest financial commitment ever made to an athlete in professional sports history at the time of its signing.
The contract includes a significant amount of deferred compensation, with $680 million scheduled to be paid out between the years 2034 and 2043.
For the duration of the initial 10 years, from 2024 to 2033, Ohtani will receive an annual salary of $2 million.
This unique deferral structure provides the Los Angeles Dodgers with considerable flexibility in managing their payroll, allowing them to potentially invest in other talented players to build a more competitive team around Ohtani.
For the 2025 season, while Ohtani's technical annual salary is $70 million, his actual payroll figure for the Dodgers is $28,216,944 due to the deferred payments.
Ohtani has reportedly expressed his commitment to fulfilling the entirety of his 10-year contract with the Dodgers.
Prior to joining the Dodgers, Ohtani played for the Los Angeles Angels, where his contracts included a one-year deal for the 2023 season valued at $30 million.
During his tenure with the Angels, his total earnings amounted to $42,269,259.
Earlier in his career, while playing for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, his salary reached 100 million yen (approximately $900,000 USD) in his third professional year.
Can Shohei Ohtani speak English?
While Shohei Ohtani prefers to conduct interviews and official communications in Japanese, he possesses a foundational understanding of the English language and is capable of communicating with his teammates and coaches on a basic level.
There have been notable instances where Ohtani has spoken in English publicly, such as during his acceptance speech for the 2023 American League MVP award (delivered in January 2024) and at the Los Angeles Dodgers' celebratory World Series parade in November 2024.
Furthermore, his teammates have observed that Ohtani has become increasingly comfortable speaking English in more informal settings.
Shohei Ohtani Interpreter
Shohei Ohtani's long-time interpreter was Ippei Mizuhara.
Mizuhara's tenure with Ohtani came to an end when he was terminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in March 2024 following serious allegations of illegal gambling activities and the unauthorised withdrawal of a significant amount of money from Ohtani's funds.
Will Ireton serves as Shohei Ohtani's interpreter for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Mizuhara's role with Ohtani was more than just that of a translator; he was widely regarded as a close confidante and friend.
Prior to his time with Ohtani in MLB, Mizuhara worked as an interpreter for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, where he initially established his professional relationship with the baseball star.
Shohei Ohtani Parents
Shohei Ohtani's mother is Kayoko Ohtani, who achieved national recognition as a badminton player during her high school career.
His father, Tōru Ohtani, worked at a local automobile manufacturing plant and also played amateur baseball in Japan's Industrial League.
Tōru Ohtani played a crucial role in Shohei's early baseball development, serving as his coach from a young age and instilling in him a strong foundation in the sport.
Shohei Ohtani Wife
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Shohei Ohtani is married to Mamiko Tanaka, with their marriage being publicly announced in February 2024.
Mamiko Tanaka is a former professional basketball player hailing from Japan.
She played at the professional level for the Fujitsu Red Wave in the Women's Japan Basketball League until her retirement from the sport in 2023.
Tanaka also represented Japan in various international youth and collegiate basketball competitions, showcasing her athletic prowess.
The couple recently celebrated the arrival of their first child, a daughter, in April 2025, marking a significant new chapter in their lives.
Ohtani has described his wife as a "normal Japanese woman" whom he had known for approximately three to four years prior to their marriage.
Since their marriage, Tanaka has become more comfortable in the public spotlight, often seen supporting Ohtani at his games and various events.
Shohei Ohtani Dog
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Shohei Ohtani is the owner of a dog named Decoy. His canine companion is also known by the Japanese name Dekopin.
Decoy has frequently been seen in the company of Ohtani and his wife at different events and celebrations, suggesting he is an integral part of their family.
The dog even played a role in the couple's announcement that they were expecting their first child, further highlighting his significance in their lives.
Shohei Ohtani Net Worth
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Shohei Ohtani's net worth is between $150 million to $200 million.
A substantial portion of his considerable wealth stems from his unprecedented 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
For the 2025 season, while his technical annual salary is $70 million, the structure of deferred payments means he will receive $2 million in cash this year.
In addition to his baseball contract, Ohtani commands significant income from a diverse portfolio of high-profile endorsement deals with major global brands, including New Balance, Kowa, Seiko, Kose, Porsche and Hugo Boss, among many others.
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In 2023 alone, his earnings from these endorsements reportedly exceeded $50 million.
Ohtani's immense global popularity and his status as a cultural icon significantly bolster his earning potential from these lucrative endorsement agreements.
Shohei Ohtani Instagram
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Shohei Ohtani is on Instagram @shoheiohtani. The Japanese baseball player has a substantial following on the platform, boasting over 9.4 million followers as of April 2025.
Ohtani actively uses his Instagram account to share updates and insights into his professional career, as well as to announce significant personal milestones, such as his marriage and the arrival of his daughter.
His former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, also maintained a significant Instagram presence, with his account primarily featuring photographs and videos of Ohtani.
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