Shohei Ohtani has had unwavering support from his parents, Kayoko and Toru Ohtani, throughout his baseball career. Born on July 5, 1994, in Oshu, Japan, Shohei inherited his baseball prowess from his father, Toru, who coached him and played at the industrial league level. Although living thousands of miles away in Japan, Shohei’s parents have attended some of his games, including his MLB debut in 2018.
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Toru Ohtani’s baseball career reached the industrial league level, where he excelled as an outfielder for a corporate-sponsored baseball team. A shoulder injury at the age of 25 led Toru to work full-time at a Mitsubishi factory. Shohei’s mother, Kayoko, was also an athlete, an amateur badminton player who played at a high level, paralleling Toru’s dedication to baseball.
Via SI:
The Ohtani origin story begins in the somnolent city of Oshu, 300 miles north of Tokyo, where his father, Toru, played for a semipro team sponsored by the local Mitsubishi plant. After a shoulder injury at 25, Toru went to work full-time at the factory. When he wasn’t working, Toru would drill with Shohei and coach his summer teams. He was happy to let his son hit and pitch. Toru’s wife, Kayoko, a former top badminton player, didn’t see the need for her son to specialize either.
Shohei fondly recalls his mother’s badminton skills, joking that he couldn’t beat her even in recent times. Kayoko’s influence on Shohei’s early development in sports was notable, as she would take him to badminton courts, allowing him to play with the equipment while she practiced. Shohei showed remarkable promise, swinging the racquet with natural talent.
Despite the distance, Shohei’s parents have consistently shown their support, attending significant games such as his opening game with the Los Angeles Angels in March 2018. As Shohei embarks on a new chapter with the Los Angeles Dodgers, fans may hope to see his parents cheering him on once again.
