Shohei Ohtani’s arrival in Korea has sparked considerable excitement.
The Japanese MLB sensation touched down in South Korea on Friday alongside his new Dodgers teammates and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, ahead of Los Angeles’ season opener against the Padres scheduled for next week.
Ohtani had previously announced his marriage on Feb. 29, but details about his wife, Tanaka, were only disclosed earlier this week.
“She is a Japanese woman, and I don’t feel comfortable discussing the exact date of our marriage,” Ohtani, known for his privacy regarding personal matters, stated through interpreter Ippei Mizuhara.
“But she’s just a regular Japanese woman.”
As Ohtani and Tanaka arrived in South Korea, numerous fans greeted them donning Dodgers jerseys. Ohtani graciously acknowledged the fans with a smile and a wave.
According to reports, fans displayed placards with messages like “GOATANI GO,” indicating their enthusiastic support for the baseball star.
Ohtani, who secured a massive 10-year, $700 million deal this offseason, has elevated expectations for the Dodgers, making them one of the favorites to clinch the World Series this season following an eventful offseason.
The Dodgers are poised to kick off their season against the Padres on Wednesday at the Gocheok SkyDome, with the game scheduled for 6:05 a.m. ET.
