Shohei Ohtani Announces Marriage Ahead of Dodgers Debut

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani surprised fans on February 29 by announcing that he got married during the offseason. The news comes just over two months after the two-way sensation signed his record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers, the largest deal in North American professional sports history.

Ohtani shared the announcement on social media, revealing that his wife is a Japanese woman but providing no further details about her identity. “I started a new chapter in my career with the Dodgers, but I also have started a new life with someone from my native country of Japan who is very special to me,” Ohtani wrote.

A Private Star’s Personal Life

Since arriving in Major League Baseball in 2018, Ohtani has been notoriously private about his personal life. The only widely known detail was his love for his dog, Dekopin, who was also featured in his announcement. He has maintained a level of mystery similar to that of Yankees legend Derek Jeter, avoiding scandals and keeping the focus on his performance on the field.

Despite his request for privacy, Ohtani remains a global phenomenon, especially in Japan, where media coverage of his every move has only intensified since signing with the Dodgers. He asked reporters to refrain from unauthorized inquiries about his marriage and mentioned that he would share more details during an upcoming press conference.

Ohtani’s Dodgers Debut Nears

Ohtani is expected to make his regular-season debut with the Dodgers on March 20 when Los Angeles faces the San Diego Padres in Seoul, South Korea. While he won’t pitch in 2024 due to elbow surgery last September, he is fully recovered and set to be the team’s full-time designated hitter.

In recent Cactus League games, Ohtani has already shown his power at the plate, homering in just his third at-bat in a Dodgers uniform. He is coming off another MVP-winning season in 2023, during which he hit .304/.412/.654 with an MLB-best 44 home runs in 135 games, while also posting a 10-5 record with a 3.14 ERA as a pitcher in 23 starts.https://x.com/HemphillWi53435/status/1899358776140149151/photo/1

With his new contract, new team, and now a new marriage, 2024 is shaping up to be one of the biggest years of Ohtani’s life—both on and off the field.