Los Angeles, CA – Shohei Ohtani, the 31-year-old two-way superstar of the Los Angeles Dodgers and arguably the most electrifying figure in Major League Baseball (MLB), revealed his deepest thoughts about the game he has dominated for over a decade. Despite shattering records, winning consecutive World Series titles, and earning the kind of accolades most players can only dream of, Ohtani emphasized a simple, human truth: he refuses to let go of his love for baseball.
On December 28, Japan’s NHK aired “NHK Special Major Leaguer Shohei Ohtani 2025,” providing fans with an unprecedented look into the heart of the player who has become a global sensation. Sitting in front of the camera, Ohtani spoke candidly about the values that guide his life and career, revealing the secret behind his relentless drive: the joy of the game itself.
“I don’t want to get rid of baseball as a hobby,” Ohtani said, his voice calm yet resolute. “It’s the most fundamental part.”
The remark stunned viewers not because it was unexpected, but because it came from a man whose every move seems designed for history books. This is a player who, over the past two years, has returned to the mound and the batter’s box as a true two-way threat, hitting 250 home runs faster than anyone in MLB history, all while leading his team to back-to-back World Series championships. The accolades alone would be enough to define a legacy, yet Ohtani’s words remind fans that his motivation runs deeper than stats and trophies.
Even in the spotlight, Ohtani’s humility shone through. When asked what he most wanted to preserve in order to “remain Ohtani,” he paused thoughtfully before continuing:
“Even if I go to a higher position and my responsibilities increase, I want to think about the technology and pursue the baseball I want to play. I want to take my hobby and enjoyment with me until I retire.”
It is this unshakable dedication to enjoying baseball on his own terms that has not only defined Ohtani’s career but has elevated him into rarefied air among baseball legends. Analysts and fans alike now casually refer to him as one of the greatest players of all time, a label that might have seemed hyperbolic only a few years ago. Yet Ohtani himself remains grounded, reminding everyone that passion precedes fame.
The NHK program further captured moments of Ohtani smiling, reflecting on his journey. “I’ve been doing that all this time,” he said. “Of course, there are many other things to do, but I want to keep doing what I want to do. I want to enjoy baseball in my own way.”
That statement, simple yet profound, encapsulates why Ohtani continues to enthrall audiences worldwide. At 31, he still treats every at-bat, every pitch, as if it were the first time he picked up a bat or threw a ball. It’s a rare combination of record-breaking talent and unpretentious love for the game, an attitude that elevates Ohtani beyond mere statistics.
His achievements this season alone—two-way excellence, rapid milestone home runs, and consecutive championship victories—could easily overshadow the humanity behind the athlete. But Ohtani ensures that the story remains about more than numbers. It’s about joy, authenticity, and the pursuit of a personal vision of baseball.
In a sport increasingly dominated by analytics, sponsorships, and celebrity personas, Ohtani remains refreshingly genuine. He plays not for the headlines, not for the endorsements, and not for the historical rankings, but for the simple, enduring pleasure of baseball. And that is what makes Shohei Ohtani, Shohei Ohtani.
As the 2026 season looms, fans around the world are left wondering: how much further can a player who balances extraordinary talent with unshakable love for the game continue to evolve? One thing is certain: whatever records he breaks next, Ohtani will do it with the heart of someone who truly loves the game.
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