Shohei Ohtani has revealed several new details about his wife, including that they’ve known each other for three-to-four years, as the two-way, LA Dodgers star breaks his silence on an overnight announcement that he had just gotten married. Following news that the 29-year-old, Japanese pitcher and designated hitter tied the knot with a mysterious woman, who still remains anonymous, over the winter, a few reporters inquired more about Ohtani’s personal life on Thursday, to which the three-time All-Star responded to.
‘Shohei Ohtani said his wife is a ‘normal Japanese woman’ (aka, not a fellow celebrity) who he has known for 3-4 years,’ tweeted Jack Harris, of The LA Times.
‘He didn’t say when they got married, but insisted the relationship had no bearing on his FA decision and that she was supportive of him signing with the Dodgers.’ Fabian Ardaya, of The Athletic, further reported that Ohtani said he ‘wanted to avoid distractions by announcing it during the season, so did so now.’
Shohei Ohtani said his wife is a “normal Japanese woman” (aka, not a fellow celebrity) who he has known for 3-4 years
He didn’t say when they got married, but insisted the relationship had no bearing on his FA decision and that she was supportive of him signing with the Dodgers
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) February 29, 2024
Shohei Ohtani said he and his new wife have known each other for around 3-4 years. He said he wanted to avoid distractions by announcing it during the season, so did so now.
Also said the relationship had “absolutely nothing to do” with his free agency decision.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) February 29, 2024
Earlier on Thursday, the Dodgers’ No. 17 said he was beginning not only ‘a new chapter in my career with the Dodgers but I also… began a new life with someone from my native country of Japan who is very special to me and I wanted everyone to know I am now married’. ‘I am excited for what is (to) come and thank you for your support,’ he added in an Instagram post that racked up almost 1.5million likes in just one hour.
Ohtani, who won his second American League Most Valuable Player award in six seasons with the LA Angels last year, included a picture of his dog at the bottom of the post. ‘The two of us (and our dog) will support each other and we hope to move forward together with all of our fans,’ he also wrote in Japanese. He added that he and his wife were ‘still immature in many ways, but we would appreciate your kind support’.
Ohtani, nicknamed ‘Sho-Time’, has achieved stratospheric fame in Japan and abroad. Known for his skills as a pitcher as well as a batter, he helped Japan win last year’s World Baseball Classic. Ohtani left the LA Angeles last year for free agency after failing to reach the MLB playoffs
Following weeks of frenzied speculation, he joined the Dodgers in December. His 10-year deal worth $700M was the richest contract in the history of North American sport. He made his Dodgers pre-season debut on Tuesday, smashing a home run in his new team’s win over the Chicago White Sox.
In his Instagram post, Ohtani said he would hold a press conference on Friday, asking the media to refrain from approaching his wife or her family members. ‘Who in the world is the lucky lady? Congratulations,’ businesswoman Junko Ito, 33, told AFP in Tokyo. ‘He has someone supporting him on the sidelines. I will cheer for him even more.’
But 22-year-old amateur baseball player Akito Suzuki said he was ‘shocked and saddened’ by the news. ‘Now he is married, there’s no chance for me. I feel a bit bitter. I wanted him to be mine,’ he said, bemoaning how Ohtani had kept his private life quiet until now.
Born in northern Japan, Ohtani was a high-school baseball prodigy who initially wanted to skip the domestic league and head straight to the majors. Instead, he signed with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in 2013 and spent five seasons there before joining the Angels. Ohtani’s every move is headline news in Japan, with his achievements a matter of national pride. His marriage announcement was quickly splashed across Japanese media outlets.
