Japanese Baseball Sensation Shohei Ohtani Shocks Fans with Marriage Announcement
Japanese baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani has stunned fans with the unexpected revelation of his marriage to a Japanese woman, catching everyone by surprise.
Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Star Shohei Ohtani Surprised His Fans by Announcing That He s Married 183
Shohei Ohtani. Meg Oliphant/Getty Images
Los Angeles Dodgers baseball star Shohei Ohtani pleasantly shocked his fans on Thursday, February 29th by sharing some exciting news - he got married! The 29-year-old, who was the 2023 American League Most Valuable Player, made the special announcement on his Instagram account. However, he chose to keep his wife's identity a secret for now.
"I have some exciting news to share with all my friends and fans! Recently, I started a new chapter in my career with the Dodgers. But that's not all - I have also begun a new life with someone very special from my Native country of Japan. I am thrilled to announce that I am now married," Ohtani shared on Instagram.
Ohtani, who is known for being private about his personal life, made a rare revelation with this announcement.
The Japanese superstar shared a post in English, featuring his adorable dog, Decoy. The pup has gained quite a following, with Ohtani even receiving a playful honorary visa for Decoy from the U.S. Embassy in Japan recently.
In closing, he expressed his excitement for the future and gratitude for the support.
Ohtani also included a message in Japanese, requesting the media not to contact his family or friends to gather more details about his new wife, as translated by CNN.
He expressed, "We are still young and there are many things we have yet to learn, but we hope for your warm support. We aim to support each other and progress together with our fans, including our beloved dog."
After playing five seasons in Japan as a star pitcher and outfielder, Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Angels in 2017, becoming one of the most sought after players in the world. He quickly established himself as one of Major League Baseball's top players, excelling in both pitching and serving as a designated hitter.
In 2021, Ohtani won his first American League MVP Award, a feat he repeated the following year. He led the league in homeruns with 44 and made history by being the first player in MLB to hit over 40 homers and win 10 games as a pitcher in the same season.
Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Star Shohei Ohtani Surprised His Fans by Announcing That He s Married 182
Kyle Rivas/Getty Images
After playing for the Angels for six seasons, Ohtani became a free agent last year, sparking a fierce bidding war. In December 2023, he made history by signing a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers.
Following the record-breaking deal, he expressed gratitude to his former team in a heartfelt Instagram post.
I want to thank everyone from the Angels organization and the fans who have been there for me during the last six years. I also want to show my appreciation to all the teams involved in the negotiation process. To the loyal Angels fans who have supported me through thick and thin, your encouragement and cheers have meant everything to me. The time I spent with the Angels will always hold a special place in my heart.
Additionally, Ohtani made a commitment to his new team's followers.
"I promise to prioritize the team's success and give my best effort to improve myself for all the loyal Dodgers fans," Ohtani stated. "I aim to keep pushing forward and making a positive impact in the baseball world until the end of my playing career."
Ohtani's first appearance with the Dodgers was on Tuesday, February 27, at spring training in Glendale, Arizona. The fans showed their support with a loud and enthusiastic ovation as he stepped onto the field.
