Shoehei Ohtani has been a star player ever since he picked up a glove. Hitting as well as pitching seemed to come natural to him at such an early age. At the young age of 23, Ohtani is showcasing an electric slider and a fastball that can exceed 100 mph. Shohei Ohtani Jerseys have been flying off the shelves and he has joined Mike Trout as being one of the most sought after jerseys in the Major Leagues.
Shohei Ohtani Biograph – The Humble Star
Before Ohtani stepped for on a Major League baseball field, reporters were in a frenzy to get at the Japanese superstar. However, Ohtani doesn’t have a “Superstar” persona. He is a humble kid, who really appreciates the game of baseball.
Ohtani said:
“The only thing I can promise you is that I’m going to play as hard as I can all the time and give 100 percent,” Ohtani told MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi last spring. “Hopefully, by doing that, I can inspire numerous people, maybe in their personal life, if they’re having other issues, and cheer them up by watching me play. That would probably be the most honorable thing about playing baseball.”
It’s In the Genes :
Ohtani has had the fortune of coming from an athletic family. Ohtani’s father (Toru) played in a high level industrial baseball league that produced Major Leaguer Junichi Tazawa. His mother was talented badminton player.
Ohtani’s Upbringing :
Ohtani was born out of the limelight of big city.. He was raised on a farm in the town of Oshu. He grew up surrounded by rice fields rather than the big city lights. In fact, he was 3 hours north of Tokyo. Writer, Brad Lefton said that “He’s not a Tokyo city slicker. That might be part of the reason he’s so admired”. There’s still an innocence to him.”
When Ohtani’s Enormous Talent Caught the Eyes of Scouts
Summer Koshein, a famed Japanese high school tournament is always packed with scouts to see the young stars of tomorrow perform. This is where Ichiro Suzuki, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Masahiro Tanaka first made waves on the Japanese baseball scene.
While Shohei Ohtani’s team didn’t win Summer Koshien, he still dazzled in the limelight. He showcased a 99mph (160 kilometers per hour), which set a record for a Japanese high school pitcher.
After High School
After finishing high school, Ohtani had to decide where he would play baseball professionally. Ohtani had dreams of forgoing playing in Japan and jump straight to the Major Leagues. However, he decided to sign with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters who drafted him with their #1 pick in 2012.
Nippon-Ham convinced Ohtani that he would instantly be a Japanese star, rather than going through the arduous long bus rides of the Minor Leagues in America. The appeal of having his family there with him enticed him to stay with his new team in Japan.
The Two Way Star – Wasn’t Always a Star at the Plate
Shohei Ohtani showcased his immense talent immediately as a pitcher. However, his termed nickname “Japanese Babe Ruth”, didn’t come until later. This is because his rookie season Ohtani hit a slash line of .238/.284/.376. Hardly eye popping numbers. However, as a pitcher he showed a lot of potential for such a young player by going 3-0 with a 4.23 ERA.
The following year is when Ohtani’s offensive potential really began to take off. At only 19 he hit 10 home runs in only 212 at bats. His pitching improved as well. He went 11-4 with a 2.61 ERA with 179 strikeouts in just 155 1/3 innings.
2014 When Ohtani Dazzled U.S. Fans at the Japanese All Star Game
Fans from the United States got their first taste of Ohtani during the 2014 Japanese All Star Team versus the Major League All Stars. Shoehei Ohtani blew away the MLB stars. Striking out Yasiel Puig, Justin Morneau, and Evan Longoria to start the game.
After striking out the side in the first inning, Ohtani allowed only 2 runs in 7 innings, while striking out 7 against some of Major League Baseball’s best hitters.
It All Came together in 2016
While Shohei Ohtani was a pitching star from time he put on a Nipp-Ham jersey, his hitting took some time. In 2016 is when he put the entire package together. He hit .322/.416/.588 with 22 home runs while pitching to a 1.86 ERA. He also struck out 174 batters in only 140 innings. A star was born. Ohtani went on to become the Paific League MVP while guiding his team to a Japan Series Championship.
LA Angels Fans Have Fallen in Love With Shohei Ohtani
Ohtani fans line up early for batting practice with hopes of getting an autograph, or photo taken. Shohei takes it all in stride. From a humble boy raised on the farm, to Major League super star in California, USA. A star is born, but the humble man remains.
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