Two-way MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani comes from an athletic background. He used to play for Nippon Professional Baseball before getting into the big leagues. He played as a designated hitter, pitcher, and outfielder for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters team. And now, he’s considered the world’s greatest baseball player by some of the esteemed sluggers on the diamond. But what exactly was the inspiration behind his baseball dreams?
Ohtani hails from a family of athletes. Some kind of sport or another involved most members of his family throughout their lives. His parents have always supported his dreams for the big leagues, and they show it without shying away. But here’s the thing: Ohtani’s mother was a big name in her own choice of sport. And apparently, Ohtani has never managed to beat her at her game. Any idea what that game might be?
Shohei Ohtani isn’t the only big-league athlete in the family
Shohei Ohtani was born to Toru Ohtani and Kayoko Ohtani in Japan. His father, Toru, earned his livelihood by working at a local automobile manufacturing plant in Japan. The man was also an avid baseball player; he appeared in the Japanese Industrial League. His mother was in an altogether different league, though. Reports say that Kayoko was highly active in the badminton scene in her high school years. Ohtani has never beat his mother at badminton—she’s that good. Did you know that she was selected to play in the nationals?
Shohei Ohtani’s mother played for her high school’s badminton team, and her school reserved her for the local games. Her skills on the court didn’t take much time to garner attention from the local authorities. Over a very short period, her smashing skills got her to the national level. However, she chose to put her racquet down in her late twenties.
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Kayoko chose to build a sweet family of five after quitting the court. Her youngest child, Shohei Ohtani, might have made it big in the States. He won Japan’s rendition of the World Series before his MLB debut in 2018. But Ohtani directly inherited his ability and passion for the sport from his parents which has been passed on to both of his siblings as well.
Shohei Ohtani was born in a court of champions
According to a Japanese tabloid, The Mainichi, both parents of Shohei Ohtani used to play for the same company on their respective sports teams. Ryuta Ohtani, Shohei’s elder brother, was an amateur baseball player before he coached for a corporate baseball team. Their sister Yuka used to play volleyball in her teen years before getting into the medical field. The Ohtani family’s love for sports is very apparent in all three of their children; their parents’ passion has transitioned into the much-revered versatility and perseverance as seen in their children.
Shohei Ohtani’s parents were in attendance today, just like they were on opening day when he got a hit in his first plate appearance. pic.twitter.com/YqeeEiKldl
— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) April 1, 2018
Momma and Papa Ohtani never shy away from showing their support for their children. Did you know that they traveled over 5000 miles to watch Shohei throw his first pitch in the States? Ohtani noted it and paid his respects to them by gifting them the ball he used in his first hit. “Since my parents are here, might as well give it to them,” he reportedly told Yahoo Sports back in 2018.
The three-time All-Star ‘Unicorn’ is far away from seeing his prime, as it seems from the constant evolution spoken through his form on the field. As the fan-favorite Japanese slugger continues to make strides across the MLB, we thank his parents for giving us such a gift to cherish for generations to come. Long live, Shotime!
What do you make of the interesting trivia involving the baseball player and his mother? Let us know in the comments section below.
