Shohei Ohtani's stardom reaches all-time high

TOKYO – Shohei Ohtani is causing a sensation in Japan during Homecoming week in Tokyo. This marks his first trip to Japan as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

During his second at-bat in the first exhibition game between the Dodgers and the Yomiuri Giants, Ohtani hit a powerful two-run home run that traveled 391 feet off pitcher Shosei Togo in the third inning. The impressive shot came on the very first pitch, a breaking ball from Togo, and sent the sold-out crowd at the Tokyo Dome into a frenzy.

“I was a bit out in front on it, but it went out at a good angle and I thought it was going to be a run,” Ohtani said through his interpreter.

In Ohtani’s second year with the Dodgers, the team begins the season overseas for the second time, this time participating in the Tokyo Series. Last year, they opened their season in South Korea with a game against the San Diego Padres. Ohtani had a challenging start, as news broke on the day of his first game about his longtime friend and interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.

Mizuhara was with Ohtani during his time with the Los Angeles Angels and also after Ohtani signed with the Dodgers in December 2023. However, when allegations surfaced regarding Mizuhara's gambling debts and claims that he used Ohtani’s money to settle debts with an illegal bookie, many began to speculate about Ohtani's possible involvement in a gambling scandal. This speculation was unfounded, as Ohtani stated that the money transfers had occurred without his knowledge. His Mizuhara ultimately pleaded guilty to fraud charges, while Ohtani maintained his innocence in this matter. 

The relationship between Ohtani and Mizuhara lasted over 10 years, beginning when Ohtani was with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. Mizuhara started as an interpreter for Chris Martin, a player whose contractual rights were sold by the New York Yankees to the Fighters for $750,000 in 2015. This is where their relationship began. When Ohtani signed with the Angels in 2017, Mizuhara was hired by the team and worked there for six years. However, in April 2024, Mizuhara was charged with bank fraud for allegedly stealing more than $16 million from Ohtani. He reportedly made unauthorized transfers from Ohtani's bank account between November 2021 and January 2024 to pay off his debts.

After the gambling incident, Ohtani had the best season of his career, joining the prestigious 50-50 club and winning his first World Series. His remarkable performance in his first season with the Dodgers caused most people to forget how his time with the team had begun just a year earlier.

A year later, Ohtani returns to his hometown, where he began his baseball career. Everyone in Japan has become a Dodgers fan, as Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated that his goal is to ensure that everyone supports the Dodgers.

“I think our mission was accomplished, painting the country of Japan in Dodgers blue,” Roberts said 

The attention throughout Japan is focused on Ohtani and the Dodgers, and this has been the case for years, ever since he joined the Angels. Many believe that his popularity surged significantly after he joined the Dodgers. Everywhere you go in Japan, you see Ohtani featured in advertisements on the streets, on the front page of newspapers, and even on beverage bottles.

In his first six seasons with the Angels, Ohtani only batted over .300 once and recorded more than 100 RBIs only once. It was evident that he was not receiving the support he needed in Anaheim, as he had fewer at-bats. The most at-bats Ohtani had in a single season with the Angels was 586 in 2022, during which he achieved a total of 160 hits. In 2021, Ohtani had an impressive season, hitting 46 home runs—the most in an Angels uniform. 

In his first season with the Dodgers, Ohtani excelled, batting .310 and hitting a career-high 54 home runs. He also brought in 130 RBIs, recorded 38 doubles, achieved 197 hits, and stole 59 bases, all of which were career highs for him in 2024.

Ohtani is not just a baseball player; he is a superhero for many people in Japan. From a young age, it was clear that Ohtani was destined for greatness. During his first season with the Dodgers, fans often held signs stating they had traveled all the way from Japan to see Ohtani play. The Dodgers have enjoyed strong support from Japanese fans, a connection that has lasted since the days of players like Hideo Nomo, Kenta Maeda, Hiroki Kuroda, Takashi Saito, Kazuhisa Ishii, and Yu Darvish.

Let's not forget that Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki are also major players in Japan. While Roberts is half Japanese, it's different for Ohtani. He hits monster home runs and can also strike you out when it matters most. Just ask Mike Trout about that moment when Ohtani helped clinch the World Baseball Classic.

Ohtani has always looked up to Darvish as his hero. Growing up in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, Ohtani idolized Darvish, especially after he began playing for the Texas Rangers in 2012—the same year Ohtani joined Darvish's former team, the Nippon Ham Fighters. Darvish pitched in one of the most significant games in Dodgers history: Game 7 of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium against the Houston Astros. Unfortunately, the Dodgers lost that game, marking their first World Series appearance since 1988. Darvish was acquired by the Dodgers at the trade deadline in 2017, but he decided to sign with the Chicago Cubs in free agency that offseason.

After captivating the world with his extraordinary talent on the baseball field, Ohtani is about to showcase his skills for a full week in front of the loyal fans of his hometown. These supporters have cheered him on since his childhood, witnessing his journey from a young hopeful to a remarkable athlete. This time, however, there’s an added layer of excitement: he’s not just another player; he’s a World Series champion, bringing with him the glory and accolades that come from reaching the pinnacle of the sport.