Shohei Ohtani, one of the most exceptional talents in Major League Baseball, continues to capture attention not only for his outstanding performance on the field but also for his personal milestones. In March 2024, during the Los Angeles Dodgers’ visit to Seoul, Ohtani addressed questions about his recent marriage while maintaining a clear focus on his baseball career.
Ohtani and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, who had married just a month prior, made their first public appearance together at a baseball game during the Dodgers’ Seoul trip. When asked about his married life at a press conference on March 16, 2024, alongside teammates Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, Ohtani courteously declined to disclose many details, emphasizing his priority on baseball.
“I answered a lot of the marriage questions in the interview earlier, so I don’t really want to get into details here,” Shohei Ohtani said, via his translator Ippei Mizuhara [13:00] “It is her first time coming to a game like this with me, so I think it’s going to be really great memories for both of us. Like I said earlier, I have one job to focus on, that’s baseball.”
Reflecting on his connection to Korea, Ohtani mentioned this trip marked a different chapter in his life compared to his previous visit during his high school years. He expressed happiness at returning as a professional athlete, looking forward to the experience.
“I was still in high school [back when I came to Korea], so the circumstances are a little different from now,” Ohtani said [14:30]. “At the time, Korea was one of my favorite countries, and I was glad to be able to come back to play baseball again. Hopefully, it will be another great experience.”
Welcoming Parenthood: Ohtani’s First Child Arrives in 2025
Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka expanded their family with the birth of their daughter in 2025, approximately 14 months after their wedding. Ohtani shared the joyous news on Instagram on April 20, expressing gratitude for his wife’s strength and the support they received.
“Welcome to the Ohtani family! I am so grateful to my loving wife who gave birth to our healthy beautiful daughter. To my daughter, thank you for making us very nervous yet super anxious parents.”
“I would also like to thank the Dodgers organization, my teammates and the fans for their constant support and kind words of encouragement. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to all the medical professionals and everyone who dedicated their support to us, up until this wonderful day.” Shohei Ohtani’s Instagram post read.
This new phase of life as a father appears to have brought a confident and energized Ohtani to the field. Since late April, the 31-year-old has hit 25 home runs with 50 runs batted in, currently leading the National League with 32 home runs overall. His “dad strength” seems to fuel his exceptional performance as he balances family and baseball.
Shohei Ohtani marriage and baseball continue to intertwine as he navigates his personal commitments with an unwavering dedication to his sport. As he leads the Dodgers and the league with outstanding stats, fans and teammates alike watch eagerly to see how his career and family life will continue to develop in the coming seasons.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Shohei Ohtani the only 50/50?
A. Shohei Ohtani is the sole member of the 50/50 club.