Terry Ito Column Vol.36 Ohtani doesn't even leave a lasting impression

Needless to say, Ohtani's performance this season has been unimaginably amazing. Before this season began, he had two major incidents. He underwent Tommy John surgery to treat his elbow at the end of last year. And then there was the illegal gambling scandal involving his longtime interpreter, Mizuhara. With the constant media coverage, I found myself wondering, "Will he be able to fully devote himself to baseball? Surely he won't perform as well as last season?" But those fears were completely unfounded. His breathtaking performance, leaving baseball fans around the world holding their breath, shows no signs of stopping. In fact, his momentum accelerated as September arrived, evolving and awakening to a whole new level even after achieving the 50/50 record.

I sensed a bit of pressure before he achieved the 50&50 mark, but he showed no sign of it. As a fan, I wanted to bask in the afterglow of Ohtani's remarkable achievement, but he didn't allow me even that. What he gave me was surprise and emotion, and above all, pride as a Japanese person, and the reality of having lived through and witnessed the unparalleled superstar Shohei Ohtani's achievement at the same time.

Even though the season has ended and he has achieved his best results, Shohei Ohtani's journey as a baseball player is still in the early stages. What is Shohei Ohtani looking forward to now? Looking back on his own playing days, current SoftBank Hawks president Sadaharu Oh said of Ohtani, "I didn't think as broadly and deeply as he did. In America, you often face pitchers you've never faced before. That makes hitting more difficult than in Japan. You don't get good results unless you think about it and compete against your opponent, not just relying on technique." When asked what's needed to hit a home run, he immediately answered, "A body that can swing the bat powerfully." Ohtani, who joined the Los Angeles Angels from the National League Dodgers, hit most of the home runs he hit against pitchers for the first time this season. How much research did he do beforehand?

Next season, he will return to pitching, turning 31 and taking to the mound. Fans are hoping he will win the Cy Young Award, given to the most outstanding pitcher, but it won't be easy. His elbow, which he has just recovered from, is a cause for concern. Ohtani once said, "A pitcher's career isn't long. I want to cherish the time I can pitch," conveying his unwavering determination to tackle next season. Will he blow away my worries and once again perform beyond my imagination?

Now is not the time to linger in the afterglow. We must keep a close eye on the superstar's every move, what he thinks and how he acts as he looks ahead to the next season. Getting to know Ohtani will surely improve your own life.

July 2024, 9

What is Otani's dream?

I'm also thinking about Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers. I can't help but wonder if he'll achieve 50/50. Or rather, it's so preoccupied with my mind that I can't concentrate on my work. I'd be satisfied if Ohtani hit a home run in a game, but I can't help but wonder if he couldn't steal a base, or if he couldn't hit a home run even in a game where he was able to steal a base. Hitting a home run or stealing a base is impressive enough, but fans expect both. It's like having a hamburger steak and fried shrimp on the same plate. The hamburger steak itself is already delicious, but adding the fried shrimp makes it twice as fun. That's when the hamburger steak alone starts to feel a little lacking.

In the midst of all this, Otani's beloved dog, Dekofin, makes his appearance! What a surprise! The variety shows devoted more time to the ceremonial first pitch with Dekofin than to Otani's home run. That first pitch was certainly amazing. Leaving Dekofin on the mound, Otani moved to the catcher's position. Even with all the practice beforehand, it's not surprising that a dog might feel uneasy and start walking after the large crowd, but instead, he waited patiently on the mound. Then, at the signal, he grabbed the ball and ran straight to catcher Otani. And then they gave him a high-five! At that moment, he became the most famous dog in the world. Even dog lovers who hadn't been particularly interested in baseball until now have been taking notice. Isn't this the ultimate menu, with a hamburger steak, fried shrimp, and a fried egg on top? Sorry, that's a poor analogy.

We know what fans dream of Ohtani. But what is Ohtani's true dream? At his press conference announcing his joining the Dodgers, he said, "I don't know how many more years I have as an active player, but that's one of the reasons I chose this team, making winning my number one priority." That's right. Rather than achieving a 50/50 and achieving a personal milestone that will go down in baseball history, Ohtani is focused on winning the regular season, winning the World Series, and enjoying some sweet drinks with his teammates.

And while I was typing this, the news broke of Ohtani's three stolen bases... This is a problem, the article can't keep up with the speed at which Ohtani is achieving his records. There's also a time lag before it's printed. I'm not the only one who feels this way. I think the media all over the world are being swept up in Ohtani's success. There's nothing more satisfying than this. Looking back at the jet-lagged articles, I can once again confirm just how amazing he is.

By the way, I can't become Otani, but maybe I can have the same breed of dog as Dekopin. No, it's already so popular that I don't think you can get one at a dog shop. I want one, but maybe not.

July 2024, 9