It's Shotime
Whether you're a die-hard baseball fan or not, you've probably heard of Shohei Ohtani. And for good reason: this two-way superstar is just as legendary as the iconic Hall of Famer Babe Ruth. If you're looking for some fun facts about MLB's newest—and lasting—sensation, we've got you covered. Here are five facts about Shohei Ohtani you need to know.
1. Two-Way Player
Shohei Ohtani is one of the few players who excels both at pitching and hitting the ball. In fact, his dominance on the mound and on the plate is so rare that he's often been compared to legendary baseball star Babe Ruth.
2. Comes from an Athletic Family
Ohtani isn't the only athlete in his family: his dad, Toru Ohtani, played semi-professional baseball, while his mom, Kayoko Ohtani, was a national-level badminton player in high school. Even Ohtani's wife, Mamiko Tanaka, is a former professional basketball player.
3. He Could've Been an Olympic Swimmer
Ohtani isn't just a superstar on the field—he could've excelled in the pool, too. In high school, his baseball coach Hiroshi Sasaki made the team do swimming laps as workouts, and claimed that Ohtani's speed could have led him to become a competitive swimmer at the Olympic level.
4. He Didn't Start Straight in MLB
Ohtani was almost pitching at 100 mph in high school, and yet, for all his natural skill and talent, he didn't start out in MLB right away. Though he attracted MLB scouts' attention already by then, and though he wanted to sign with an MLB organization out of high school, his professional career started in 2013 with Japan’s Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
5. Shares a Record with Babe Ruth
It shouldn't come as a surprise that one legendary player shares a record with another superstar. In 2023, Ohtani joined Ruth as one of only two players in MLB history to total over 100 home runs and 500 or more strikeouts—an incredibly rare feat that highlights his two-way talent.
