Shohei Ohtani gives hope to young baseball players in Japan and beyond. Shin Uebori, who coaches the Fukagawa Hawks youth baseball team in Tokyo, recognizes the profound impact Ohtani has on his players.
“With Ohtani, the kids think everything is possible,” Uebori remarked as he concluded practice on a dusty field nestled beside a local Buddhist temple, beneath an elevated highway, and surrounded by tall apartment buildings in central Tokyo.
“Nothing is impossible with him,” Uebori continued, stepping out of the fenced practice area that prevents stray balls from landing on temple grounds. So far, none of the young players, swinging at soft baseballs, have reached the highway. “A dream is not a dream.”
Ohtani’s popularity, often referred to as Ohtani-mania, fluctuates in Japan, yet blue Dodgers caps have taken over as the country’s preferred sports accessory, replacing Yankees caps.
While Japan boasts other sports icons like golfer Hideki Matsuyama, boxer Naoya Inoue, and tennis star Naomi Osaka, none quite match Ohtani’s magnetic appeal. His influence was evident when Japan proudly secured 20 gold medals at the Paris Olympics, the most for the nation at a foreign Games.
Ohtani’s stardom peaked when Japan triumphed in the World Baseball Classic about 20 months ago, defeating the United States. This fervor surged again when he signed a groundbreaking 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2024 season.
A brief setback occurred in March when Ohtani faced allegations in a gambling scandal, but prosecutors found no evidence linking him to any wrongdoing.
As Ohtani and teammate Yamamoto prepare for the NLCS against the New York Mets, excitement builds. Should the Dodgers advance to the World Series, public viewing areas are likely to pop up across Japan, allowing fans to catch the games live in the early morning hours.
New York Mets
NYM
+1.5
+135
O 8
Los Angeles Dodgers
LAD
-1.5
-160
U 8
The time difference between New York and Tokyo is 13 hours, while it stretches to 16 hours between Tokyo and Los Angeles.
Yukako Takahashi observed her 10-year-old son Haruka during practice, clearly acknowledging Ohtani’s influence on him and his teammates.
“Everyone is inspired by him,” she stated. “Kids wonder how he got his spirit. For them, he is a huge idol. He’s perfect.”
Though she doesn’t watch Ohtani’s games regularly from the U.S., she keeps up with him through local news, where he frequently headlines the sports segment. She anticipates that interest will rise if the Dodgers make it to the World Series.
Takahashi believes Ohtani serves as a beacon of hope for the entire nation, especially as he competes against American and Latin American athletes.
“The economy is down these days in Japan,” she mentioned. “Times are tough. But with Ohtani’s success, he represents our hope.”
