Shohei Ohtani has dazzled the baseball world in ways that haven’t been seen before.
While recovering from elbow surgery as a pitcher in 2023, Ohtani excelled as a hitter, making history by becoming the first Major League Baseball player to hit at least 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.
It’s impossible to overlook his achievements, and shortly after the Los Angeles Dodgers secured their 11th NL West title in 12 seasons, Ohtani’s father, Toru Ohtani, wrote an open letter to his son in Sponichi, a Japanese publication with nearly 80,000 followers on X.
“Congratulations on winning the division! This season is your first chance to compete for a championship in the Majors,” the first paragraph of the letter translates to.
Ohtani has yet to play in the postseason as the Los Angeles Angels missed out throughout the two-way’s star tenure with them.
Otani also mentioned his son’s wife, Mamiko, in the letter and credited her for a lot of Ohtani’s success.
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
“This year, you reached a major milestone by marrying Mamiko, and I can tell you’re now playing baseball with a greater sense of calmness.
“When we first heard about your marriage last December, we were the most surprised. To be honest, until last season when you were single, I would visit your games in person, chat for a bit, and go home from the stadium. After you got married this season, you’d invite us over for tea and we’d get to spend a little more time together, which was a change from before. As a dad, that made me happy.
“I feel like you’re able to focus more in games after you got married. You seemed to have loosened up a little, rounding up your sharp edges.”
Otani takes fans throughout the season from the lows to the highs.
“In early August, we got to watch three games at Dodger Stadium with the whole family. The suite on the fifth level that you reserved for us was impressive, and the view was amazing.
“You got a hit right as we arrived, but after that, your form fell a little, and couldn’t get any more hits. I was worried you might start calling me the bad luck charm.”
Shohei Ohtani’s father published an open letter in Japan congratulating his son for his historic 50-50 season, as well as crediting his daughter-in-law Mamiko Tanaka for helping Shohei get through the Ippei Mizuhara scandal. https://t.co/YPyQwyHIMR
— FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) September 28, 2024
The letter continues with mentions of his 40/40 accomplishments and his 50/50.
“On Sept. 19 against the Miami Marlins, you became the first player to put together a ’50-50′ season in that game. Before the season opener, I didn’t expect you to go this far.
“I thought ’40-40′ was great enough, but you just kept piling on. However, as you have said many times in press conferences, you care more about the team winning than setting individual records. Ever since you were a child, you never had fun if the team didn’t win, even if you had a good game.”
Finally, it ends with a father’s excitement to watch him compete for a World Series title.
“Starting this October, I am looking forward to watching you play in your first postseason. And finally, I hope that you make it to the World Series and win it all.
“From the bottom of my heart, I will be rooting for you.”
To read the letter in its entirety, FOX 11 Los Angeles has a loose translation.
Newsweek Sports will continue to follow Ohtani’s incredible season into the playoffs.